16S rRNA targeted probes for the identification of bacterial strains isolated from cultures of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense

Bacteria have been implicated in the production of paralytic shellfish pois on (PSP) toxins, which are normally associated with bloom-forming algal spe cies, specifically toxic dinoflagellate algae. To clarify the role that the se bacteria may play in the production of PSP toxins, it is desirable to id entify and localize the bacteria associated with the dinoflagellates. 16S r RNA-targeted probes offer the possibility for both, and thus, probes have b een made to putatively toxigenic bacteria isolated from the PSP-related din oflagellate Alexandrium tamarense and tested for their specificity in dot b lot and in situ hybridization experiments.