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Abstract ECOLOGY OF THE TOXIC CYANOBACTERIA LYNGBYA SP. IN FLORIDA, USA Karen Arthur and Valerie Paul Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been increasing in frequency, severity and persistence world wide. Lyngbya is a benthic cyanobacterium that blooms in tropical and subtropical estuarine and marine environments overgrowing and smothering other benthic organisms. It is also a prolific producer of secondary metabolites, many of which have been shown to be biological active, and some of which appear to enter marine food webs. Nuisance blooms of Lyngbya occur regularly throughout Florida and may be triggered by terrigenous nutrient inputs. In addition, these blooms may grow unchecked as grazers avoid consuming the toxic filaments. In this study we examine the ecology of Lyngbya blooms in Florida including the effects of nutrient additions on Lyngbya growth and toxin production. We also assess how these compounds affect potential grazers and the implications of these blooms for the marine ecosystem.
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