Impact and effects of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins derived from harmful algal blooms to marine fish

Abstract

Fish are frequently exposed to paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) derived from harmful algal blooms (HAB). PSTs are potent neurotoxins with strong effects on fish at multiple trophic levels. Here, we examine the historical and contemporary mass mortality events combining with the available data on response of fish to PSTs' exposure. The data show that fish are negatively affected by these natural toxins on a recurring basis. Transient effects of PSTs have also been observed in fish and although difficult to quantify, these sublethal effects can affect foraging and predation avoidance. Additionally, the spatiotemporal overlapping of fish spawning and HAB can also be critical for fish survival and fisheries recruitment. Exposure of fish in their early life stages to dissolved toxins in the water column has also been identified as a risk factor for fish survival. In the context of global climate change, where PSTs are likely to become increasingly important, new insights and a synthesis of up-to-date information on fish response to PSTs and the risk associated with toxic dinoflagellate blooms are presented.

Paralytic Shellfish Toxins and Ocean Warming: Bioaccumulation and Ecotoxicological Responses in Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)

“…It is known that C2 and C1 toxin analogues, which were the predominant ones in our study, are less stable and easily undergo enzymatic hydrolysis, being rapidly eliminated via urine [19]. Moreover, warmer water temperatures lead to higher metabolic rates associated with the increase in fish energetic demands [24] and, consequently, higher excretion rates of the more soluble toxin analogues [22].…”

“…However, the differences previously reported in the toxin profiles of prey and predators suggest that PST biotransformation may also take place [19,21]. Nevertheless, the low levels detected, associated with identical elimination rates during uptake and depuration, may explain the absence of PST metabolization [22]. Several studies show that viscera are the primary organ for PST accumulation, but have also higher detoxification rates (excretion), which can be effectively accelerated in juvenile specimens that present rapid growth, and therefore faster metabolism [22].…”

Variability of dinoflagellates and their associated toxins in relation with environmental drivers in Ambon Bay, eastern Indonesia

“…Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a potential threat to marine environments worldwide, while affecting humans in terms of health and economic loss (Anderson et al, 2014;Glibert, 2016). The main vector of algal toxins to humans is shellfish (James et al, 2010;Reis Costa, 2016). Syndromes of human poisoning from shellfish consumption are derived from five types of shellfish toxicity, namely Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), Diarrhoetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP), Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP), Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), and Azaspiracid Shellfish Poisoning (AZP).…”

Morphodynamic Study of a 2018 Mass-Stranding Event at Punta Umbria Beach (Spain): Effect of Atlantic Storm Emma on Benthic Marine Organisms

“…There is a vast literature on the stranding of marine vertebrate species (particularly cetaceans); however, very few stranding and mass mortality of invertebrates have been reported. The most frequent biotic causes of mass-mortality events include toxicity, due to toxic algal blooms [1,2], the appearance of diseases [3,4], or mortality following spawning events. Among the abiotic causes, the most frequent are storms, currents or strong waves, changes in temperature and salinity, hypoxia, emersion during low tide or oil spills [5].…”