Diversity, distribution, and azaspiracids of Amphidomataceae (Dinophyceae) along the Norwegian coast

Publication date: December 2018Source: Harmful Algae, Volume 80Author(s): Urban Tillmann, Bente Edvardsen, Bernd Krock, Kirsty F. Smith, Ruth F. Paterson, Daniela VoßAbstractAzaspiracids (AZA) are a group of lipophilic polyether compounds which have been implicated in shellfish poisoning incidents around Europe. They are produced by a few species of the dinophycean genera Azadinium and Amphidoma (Amphidomataceae). The presence of AZA toxins in Norway is well documented, but knowledge of the distribution and diversity of Azadinium and other Amphidomataceae along the Norwegian coast is rather limited and poorly documented. On a research survey along the Norwegian coast in 2015 from the Skagerrak in the South to Trondheimsfjorden in the North, plankton samples from 67 stations were analysed for the presence of Azadinium and Amphidoma and their respective AZA by on-board live microscopy, real-time PCR assays specific for Amphidomataceae, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).Microscopy using live samples and positive real-time PCR assays using a general family probe and two species specific probes revealed the presence of Amphidomataceae distributed throughout the sampling area. Overall abundance was low, however, and was in agreement with a lack of detectable AZA in plankton samples. Single cell isolation and morphological and molecular characterisation of established strains revealed the presence of 7 amphidomatacean species (Azadiniun spinosum, Az. p...
Source: Harmful Algae - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research