The Distribution of dinoflagellates cysts in surface sediment samples from Failaka Island has been examined from 30 samples. Emphasis has been placed in ellipsoidal cysts of the genus Alexandrium. Results show two concurrent cyst distribution trends in latitudinal and longitudinal directions.

Muna MOHAMED Husain, director of biodiversity conservation department, biodiversity conservation, kuwait, Kuwait
Abstract:
The Distribution of dinoflagellates cysts in surface sediment samples from Failaka Island has been examined from 30 samples. Emphasis has been placed in ellipsoidal cysts of the genus Alexandrium. Results show two concurrent cyst distribution trends in latitudinal and longitudinal directions. In the latitudinal trend , the most abundant cysts were Spiniferites bulloidens and ellipsoidal Alexandrium . Various factors such as cyst production , particle size of sediment and sedimentation rates may contribute to the dinoflagellate cyst distribution in Failaka Island. The Protoperidinoid / Gonyaulacoid (P/G) ratio, which is considered to increase in proportion with increasing primary production , is of limited use in comparing with other areas in Kuwaiti waters , because its value remains high in both high and lower primary production areas in this study.
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