text: Phytobenthos consist of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic communities, which can be identified by using microscopy or by performing gene sequencing with 16S rRNA (for prokaryotes) and 18S rRNA (for eukaryotes). The eukaryotic communities of phytobenthos include microalgae such as Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cryptophyceae, and Chrysophyceae.  In the marine environment, some additional representative populations include Rhodophyta, which has been reportedly found in intertidal regions. The prokaryotic communities of phytobenthos are composed primarily of filamentous cyanobacteria, some of which have been identified to be capable of producing hepatotoxins.