Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages in recent sediments of Visakhapatnam harbour, east coast of India: Influence of environmental characteristics

► First study on dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from Visakhapatnam harbour. ► Cysts of Protoceratium reticulatum recorded for the first time in the study area. ► High monospecies dominance and low species diversity reveal eutrophic conditions. ► Spatial distribution of dinoflagellate cysts reflect environmental characteristics. ► Sedimentary studies provide records of potential harmful dinoflagellates.