IPHAB Task Team on Algal Taxonomy

With reference to the HAB Programme Plan, objective 6.2.2(ii) (IOC/IPHAB-IX.3, Annex VII), to continue the Task Team on Algal Taxonomy with unchanged terms of reference:

  • verify the Reference List and modify it as required, continuing the inclusion of toxic cyanobacteria,
  • include morphological information of each species and the level of technique required to identify them, information on resting stages, and links to selected verified DNA sequences existing in GenBank obtained at or near the type locality,
  • produce a grey list for species for which documentation for toxicity is lacking or doubtful,
  • develop lists of a) harmful but non-toxic species causing damages or killing of marine fauna and b) harmful but non-toxic species producing high biomass blooms, mucilages, foams and discolorations with impacts on human activities in the coastal zone (e.g. tourism, fisheries, recreation, and desalination plants),
  • each year issue a summary in Harmful Algae News detailing the taxonomic changes to the Reference List,
  • invite the scientific community to contribute to keeping the Reference List updated,
  • work in coordination with the Task Team on Biotoxins Monitoring, Management and Regulations to intercalibrate and interlink the information on toxigenic species,
  • suggest themes for round-table discussions and other activities at the International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA); give presentation(s) at the next ICHA conference detailing recent changes in the taxonomy of harmful algal species and in the information included in the Reference List,
  • identify editors within or external to the Task Team who will be responsible for validating, completing and updating the Reference List, including descriptions and illustrations showing diagnostic features of each species,
  • convene online meetings with Reference List Editors, TT members and a representative from WoRMS approximately every third month have to discuss issues related to the List,
  • contribute to the development of HAIS,

Decides that the Task Team will comprise N. Lundholm (Denmark) chair, M. Iwataki (Japan), A. Zingone (Italy), M. De Rijcke (Belgium), and Asmae Bennouna (Morocco). The Task Team may be supplemented by international advisors and experts and expanded as required to fulfill the terms of reference;

Notes that the Task Team will continue its work until otherwise decided by the Panel and that it will work by correspondence and/or meet on an opportunistic basis, and provide a progress report to the Chair of IPHAB prior to IPHAB-XVII.

Contact:

Nina Lundholm, Natural History Museum of denmark, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, E-mail: nlundholm@snm.ku.dk