Characterization of toxin-producing strains of Dinophysis spp. (Dinophyceae) isolated from French coastal waters, with a particular focus on the D. acuminata-complex

·Dinophysis sp. has been investigated from French coastal waters using 30 monoclonal strains.·Morphology and ITS–LSU sequences identify D. acuta, D. caudata, D. tripos, and D. acuminata-complex.·Cox1 gene reveals two subclades diverging by 1 substitution within D. acuminata complex.·Conserved toxin profiles in D. acuta, D. caudata and D. tripos, irrespective of their geographical origin.·Two distinct toxin profiles within the D. acuminata-complex.