Distribution of Dinoflagellate Cysts in the Surface Sediment of the South China Sea, Area I: Gulf of Thailand and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

To obtain more information on the distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in Thai and Malaysian waters, the surface sediment samples of 48 stations in the Gulf of Thailand and the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia were collected by M.V. SEAFDEC during the research cruise in September 1995 and repeated again in April 1996. Cysts of 20 species belonging to Goniolacoid, Tuberculodinioid and Peridinioid were found in the surface sediments collected from both cruises. Spiniferites spp. (=Gonyaulax spp.) were the dominant cyst in Thai and Malaysian waters. No cysts of harmful species were observed during this study.