| Popis: |
Population dynamics of two benthic dinoflagellates, which have been implicated in ciguatera fish poisoning, were studied over a 3-yr period in southwestern Puerto Rico. Ostreopsis lenticularis Fukuyo and Gambierdiscus toxicus Adachi et Fukuyo populations were not strongly correlated with temperature or rainfall, however, both dinoflagellates did display seasonal fluctuations. Crude methanolic extracts of wild cell O. lenticularis varied in toxicity from nontoxic to 182 MU · cell −1 (× 10 6 ). Toxic materials found in the aqueous methanolic extracts were not soluble in ethyl acetate, a more nonpolar solvent. Peak toxicities in wild O. lenticularis cells recurred in October 1985 and October 1986. While additional data are needed, present results suggest a seasonality in Ostreopsis toxicity as well. |
