Proper identification and documentation of microalgae is often lacking in publications of applied phycology, algal physiology and biochemistry. Identification of many eukaryotic microalgae can be very daunting to the nonspecialist. We present a systematic process for identifying eukaryotic microalgae using morphological evidence and DNA sequence analysis. Our intent was to provide an identification method that could be used by nontaxonomists, but which is grounded in the current techniques used by algal taxonomists. Central to the identification is database searches with DNA sequences of appropriate loci. We provide usable criteria for identification at the genus or species level, depending on the availability of sequence data in curated databases and repositories. Particular attention is paid to dealing with possible misidentifications in DNA databases and utilizing current taxonomy.

应用藻类学、藻类生理学和生物化学的出版物中往往缺乏对微藻的正确识别和记录。许多真核微藻的鉴定对于非专业人士来说可能是非常艰巨的。我们提出了使用形态学证据和 DNA 序列分析来识别真核微藻的系统过程。我们的目的是提供一种可供非分类学家使用的识别方法，但该方法以藻类分类学家使用的当前技术为基础。鉴定的核心是使用适当基因座的 DNA 序列进行数据库搜索。我们提供可用的属或种级别识别标准，具体取决于精选数据库和存储库中序列数据的可用性。