Dinoflagellate Cysts in Recent Sediments from the Southern Coastal Waters of Korea

Thirty-seven different types of dinoflagellate cysts were recorded in surface sediments, sampled at offshore and inshore stations from the southern coastal waters of Korea. Because of their atypical morphologies, Votadinium calvum , Quinquecuspis concretum , Protoperidinium sp. and two types of Brigantedinium are described and discussed in more detail. The concentrations of dinoflagellate cysts were approximately four times higher at offshore stations than those at inshore stations. This study provides a database on dinoflagellate cyst distribution and composition in the southern coastal waters of Korea, where dinoflagellate cysts have been little studied.