The Epiphytic Genus Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae) in the Kermadec Islands and Zealandia Regions of the Southwestern Pacific and the Associated Risk of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
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Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand
2
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Private Bag 92018, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
3
AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, 10 Bisley Road, Private Bag 3240, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(7), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15070219
Received: 17 May 2017 / Revised: 19 June 2017 / Accepted: 5 July 2017 / Published: 11 July 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Harmful Marine Phytoplankton)
Species in the genus Gambierdiscus produce ciguatoxins (CTXs) and/or maitotoxins (MTXs), which may cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) in humans if contaminated fish are consumed. Species of Gambierdiscus have previously been isolated from macroalgae at Rangitahua (Raoul Island and North Meyer Islands, northern Kermadec Islands), and the opportunity was taken to sample for Gambierdiscus at the more southerly Macauley Island during an expedition in 2016. Gambierdiscus cells were isolated, cultured, and DNA extracted and sequenced to determine the species present. Bulk cultures were tested for CTXs and MTXs by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The species isolated were G. australes, which produced MTX-1 (ranging from 3 to 36 pg/cell), and G. polynesiensis, which produced neither MTX-1 nor, unusually, any known CTXs. Isolates of both species produced putative MTX-3. The risk of fish, particularly herbivorous fish, causing CFP in the Zealandia and Kermadec Islands region is real, although in mainland New Zealand the risk is currently low. Both Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa have been recorded in the sub-tropical northern region of New Zealand, and so the risk may increase with warming seas and shift in the distribution of Gambierdiscus species.
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Keywords:
Gambierdiscus; ciguatera fish poisoning; ciguatoxins; maitotoxin; Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
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MDPI and ACS Style
Rhodes, L.L.; Smith, K.F.; Murray, S.; Harwood, D.T.; Trnski, T.; Munday, R. The Epiphytic Genus Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae) in the Kermadec Islands and Zealandia Regions of the Southwestern Pacific and the Associated Risk of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning. Mar. Drugs 2017, 15, 219.
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