3.2.4. Heterosigma akashiwo
The heterokont Heterosigma akashiwo was identified by microscopic cell counts in sample 4A (600 cells·L−1) and 6A (400 cells·L−1). The microarray detected this taxon with the species-specific probe LSHaka054425b_dT in all samples except 3A. In addition, two more species-specific probes gave positive signals in sample 4A (LSHaka0268A25_dT and LSHaka0358A24_dT), and four in sample 6A (LSHaka0268A25_dT, LSHaka0544A25c_dT, LSHaka0329A25_dT, and SSHaka0200A25_dT). This species can be difficult to identify, especially once preserved in Lugol’s. Two species-specific probes were designed from the 18S region (SSHaka) and six more from the 28S region (LSHaka) for H. akashiwo (Table 2, [25]). Their calibration curves show the sensitivity of each probe and point out a low affinity with the H. akashiwo RNA. Some probes showed no sensitivity below 5 or even 25 ng of RNA, i.e., more than 700 cells are required to get a S/N ratio above two. This means that, in our case, we had around 230 cells·L−1 of H. akashiwo because not all probes were detected.