The protozoa of a Western Australian hypersaline lagoon

• Published in: Hydrobiologia 1983-09, Vol.105 (1), p.95-113
• Main Authors: Post, F. J., Borowitzka, L. J., Borowitzka, M. A., Mackay, B., Moulton, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dunaliella salina; Marine
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00025180

Hutt Lagoon, 28 degree 11'S, 114 degree 15'E, 600 km north of Perth, Western Australia and lying 5 m below sea level is the site of a pilot plant erected by Roche Algal Biotechnology for growing and harvesting the alga Dunaliella salina . The lagoon is filled to a depth of 50-75 cm by rainfall (18% w/v salinity or above) during the winter months and is desiccated to a 5 cm or more thick crust during the summer. Salt from the crust used to prepare a growth medium for D. salina introduced a number of protozoa to the cultures, some of which made great inroads on the algal population. Most of the protozoa in the crust are presumed to be in the form of cysts and originate from more or less permanent seeps and pools resulting from the inflow of water from the Indian Ocean on the west and from continental ground water on the east. Fourteen ciliates, 10 zooflagellates and 4 sarcodines were observed frequently enough in brines of over 15% (w/v) salinity to identify. At least one parasite of D. salina is included in the flagellate group. All of the sarcodina fed on both algae and bacteria. The relationship of these protozoa to the lagoon and to D. salina culturing is discussed.