Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes
We review and develop conceptual models for the bio-transfer of ciguatoxins in food chains for Platypus Bay and the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia. Platypus Bay is unique in repeatedly producing ciguateric fishes in Australia, with ciguatoxins produced by benthic dinoflagellates (...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-07-01
|
| Series: | Toxins |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/8/515 |
| _version_ | 1797521953091747840 |
|---|---|
| author | Michael J. Holmes Bill Venables Richard J. Lewis |
| author_facet | Michael J. Holmes Bill Venables Richard J. Lewis |
| author_sort | Michael J. Holmes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We review and develop conceptual models for the bio-transfer of ciguatoxins in food chains for Platypus Bay and the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia. Platypus Bay is unique in repeatedly producing ciguateric fishes in Australia, with ciguatoxins produced by benthic dinoflagellates (<i>Gambierdiscus</i> spp.) growing epiphytically on free-living, benthic macroalgae. The <i>Gambierdiscus</i> are consumed by invertebrates living within the macroalgae, which are preyed upon by small carnivorous fishes, which are then preyed upon by Spanish mackerel (<i>Scomberomorus commerson</i>). We hypothesise that <i>Gambierdiscus</i> and/or <i>Fukuyoa</i> species growing on turf algae are the main source of ciguatoxins entering marine food chains to cause ciguatera on the Great Barrier Reef. The abundance of surgeonfish that feed on turf algae may act as a feedback mechanism controlling the flow of ciguatoxins through this marine food chain. If this hypothesis is broadly applicable, then a reduction in herbivory from overharvesting of herbivores could lead to increases in ciguatera by concentrating ciguatoxins through the remaining, smaller population of herbivores. Modelling the dilution of ciguatoxins by somatic growth in Spanish mackerel and coral trout (<i>Plectropomus leopardus</i>) revealed that growth could not significantly reduce the toxicity of fish flesh, except in young fast-growing fishes or legal-sized fishes contaminated with low levels of ciguatoxins. If Spanish mackerel along the east coast of Australia can depurate ciguatoxins, it is most likely with a half-life of ≤1-year. Our review and conceptual models can aid management and research of ciguatera in Australia, and globally. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:19:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-beaef94a35084c698798a505ccb2715e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:19:52Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj.art-beaef94a35084c698798a505ccb2715e2023-11-22T10:04:00ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512021-07-0113851510.3390/toxins13080515Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in FishesMichael J. Holmes0Bill Venables1Richard J. Lewis2Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Brisbane 4102, AustraliaCSIRO Data61, Brisbane 4102, AustraliaInstitute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, AustraliaWe review and develop conceptual models for the bio-transfer of ciguatoxins in food chains for Platypus Bay and the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia. Platypus Bay is unique in repeatedly producing ciguateric fishes in Australia, with ciguatoxins produced by benthic dinoflagellates (<i>Gambierdiscus</i> spp.) growing epiphytically on free-living, benthic macroalgae. The <i>Gambierdiscus</i> are consumed by invertebrates living within the macroalgae, which are preyed upon by small carnivorous fishes, which are then preyed upon by Spanish mackerel (<i>Scomberomorus commerson</i>). We hypothesise that <i>Gambierdiscus</i> and/or <i>Fukuyoa</i> species growing on turf algae are the main source of ciguatoxins entering marine food chains to cause ciguatera on the Great Barrier Reef. The abundance of surgeonfish that feed on turf algae may act as a feedback mechanism controlling the flow of ciguatoxins through this marine food chain. If this hypothesis is broadly applicable, then a reduction in herbivory from overharvesting of herbivores could lead to increases in ciguatera by concentrating ciguatoxins through the remaining, smaller population of herbivores. Modelling the dilution of ciguatoxins by somatic growth in Spanish mackerel and coral trout (<i>Plectropomus leopardus</i>) revealed that growth could not significantly reduce the toxicity of fish flesh, except in young fast-growing fishes or legal-sized fishes contaminated with low levels of ciguatoxins. If Spanish mackerel along the east coast of Australia can depurate ciguatoxins, it is most likely with a half-life of ≤1-year. Our review and conceptual models can aid management and research of ciguatera in Australia, and globally.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/8/515ciguateraciguatoxinmaitotoxin44-methylgambieronetoxin depuration<i>Gambierdiscus</i> |
| spellingShingle | Michael J. Holmes Bill Venables Richard J. Lewis Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes Toxins ciguatera ciguatoxin maitotoxin 44-methylgambierone toxin depuration <i>Gambierdiscus</i> |
| title | Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes |
| title_full | Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes |
| title_fullStr | Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes |
| title_short | Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes |
| title_sort | critical review and conceptual and quantitative models for the transfer and depuration of ciguatoxins in fishes |
| topic | ciguatera ciguatoxin maitotoxin 44-methylgambierone toxin depuration <i>Gambierdiscus</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/8/515 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaeljholmes criticalreviewandconceptualandquantitativemodelsforthetransferanddepurationofciguatoxinsinfishes AT billvenables criticalreviewandconceptualandquantitativemodelsforthetransferanddepurationofciguatoxinsinfishes AT richardjlewis criticalreviewandconceptualandquantitativemodelsforthetransferanddepurationofciguatoxinsinfishes |