Toxic and harmful marine phytoplankton and microalgae (HABs) in Mexican Coasts

Abstract

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are becoming an increasing problem to human health and environment (including effects on natural and cultured resources, tourism and ecosystems) all over the world. In Mexico a number of human fatalities and important economic losses have occurred in the last 30 years because of these events. There are about 70 species of planktonic and non-planktonic microalgae considered harmful in Mexican coasts. The most important toxin-producing species are the dinoflagellates Gymnodinium catenatum and Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, in the Mexican Pacific, and Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico, and consequently the poisonings documented in Mexico are Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP). Although there is evidence that Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) and Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) also occur in Mexico, these problems are reported less frequently. The type of phytoplankton and epiphytic microalgae, their toxins and harmful effects as well as current methodology used to study these phenomena are presented in this paper. As an experienced group of workers, we include descriptions of monitoring and mitigation programs, our proposals for collaborative projects and perspectives on future research.

Harmful algal blooms along the North American west coast region: History, trends, causes, and impacts

“…Anecdotal evidence from the northern part of the Baja California Peninsula also suggests that some sea lion strandings might have been related to DA toxicity. In 2002, 87 sea lions were found stranded on beaches from Tijuana to Ensenada, and it was assumed that DA toxicity was the cause of this event (Herná ndez-Becerril et al, 2007). Also in 2006, nine corpses and three sea lions with symptoms of DA toxicity were found near Ensenada, Northern Baja California (media report CP052-06 issued by SEMARNAT-PROFEPA; http://www.profepa.…”

“…comm.). In Mexico, several species of Dinophysis are also present along the Pacific littoral but no cases of DSP have been officially recognized (Herná ndez-Becerril et al, 2007;Corté s-Altamirano and Sierra-Beltrá n, 2008). Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins have been measured since 2009 in Mexico, but they were officially regulated in 2011 with an action level of 160 mg eq okadaic acid per kg of shellfish (NORMA Oficial Mexicana, 2011).…”

“…Also, in the upper reaches of some CA estuaries, the cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa (Kü tzing) Kü tzing, has emerged as a major bloomformer recently and Trichodesmium spp. are listed as potential harmful species in Mexico (Herná ndez-Becerril et al, 2007). Also on the Mexican west coast, problems associated with potentially toxic benthic dinoflagellates should be considered.…”

“…These events impact all coastal U.S. states and large portions of coastal Canada and Mexico (Taylor, 1993;Horner et al, 1997;Mudie et al, 2002;Herná ndez-Becerril et al, 2007;Anderson et al, 2008b;Band-Schmidt et al, 2010). Harmful algal blooms have had significant ecological and socioeconomic impacts on Pacific coastal communities of North America for decades, and their prevalence and impacts on living resources in this west coast region have increased markedly in frequency and geographical distribution over the last 10-15 years (Anderson et al, 2008b;Kudela et al, 2008a;Kahru et al, 2009;Band-Schmidt et al, 2010;Rensel et al, 2010b;Garcia-Mendoza, unpubl.…”

Seasonal growth, molt, and egg production rates of Nyctiphanes simplex (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) juveniles and adults in the Gulf of California

“…However, the nutritional effect and confirmation of higher growth, MPR, and/or EPR with a diet of cryptophytes must be tested experimentally in the future. Another possibility is that cryptophytes tend to be in endosymbiotic association (kleptoplasty) with the ciliate Miryonecta rubra, which sometimes can produce massive proliferations in the Gulf of California (Gárate-Lizárraga et al 2002, Hernández-Becerril et al 2007, López-Cortés et al 2008). This ciliate could be a potential significant food source for N. simplex, as shown for other zooplankton species (Henrik et al 2000, López-Cortés et al 2008).…”