Abstract
The Peruvian sea is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. Phytoplankton production provides food for fish, mammals, mollusks and birds. This trophic network is affected by the presence of toxic phytoplankton species. In July 2017, samples of phytoplankton were obtained from Paracas Bay, an important zone for scallop (Argopecten purpuratus) aquaculture in Peru. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, which was isolated and cultivated in laboratory conditions. Subsequently, the monoclonal cultures were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and identified as P. multistriata, based on both the morphological characteristics, and internal transcribed spacers region (ITS2) sequence phylogenetic analysis. Toxin analysis using liquid chromatography (LC) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) revealed the presence of domoic acid (DA) with an estimated amount of 0.004 to 0.010 pg cell−1. This is the first report of DA from the coastal waters of Peru and its detection in P. multistriata indicates that it is a potential risk. Based on our results, routine monitoring of this genus should be considered in order to ensure public health.
Highlights
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Marine planktonic diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia are found in polar, warm and tropical regions; most of their species are cosmopolitan [1,2,3]
The present study provides the first report of Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata in Peruvian coastal waters and, as far as we know, in the southeastern Pacific area
Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata has been identified from the Peruvian coast based on morphological, phylogenetic and molecular evidence
Summary
Blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia spp., which produce DA, generate large economic losses due to long periods of closures for recreational and commercial fisheries or marketing of aquaculture products These toxic outbreaks have been reported in the United. In Peru, during the period 2011–2012, intoxication of fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and sea lions (Otaria byronia) was reported in San Juan de Marcona, Ica (15◦ 20’S), associated with the detection of DA in feces of these marine mammals During this episode, Pseudonitzschia spp. were detected with a maximum of 88,580 cell L−1 in Paracas Bay sampling station (distance of ~155 km to the north) [41]. The detection of DA in marine mammals in nearby areas indicates that the toxin is a potential risk to aquaculture and suggests that more research is necessary in order to identify different Pseudo-nitzschia species and their capability to produce DA on the coast of Peru. In 2017, phytoplankton were collected in Paracas Bay to establish monoclonal cultures of Pseudo-nitzschia spp., for their morphological, molecular and toxicological characterization, in order to understand the potentially toxic species of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia in Peruvian waters
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