Algae. 2011; 26(4): 317-325.
The occurrence of the ciguatera fish poisoning producing dinoflagellate genus Gambierdiscus in Pakistan waters
Sonia Munir, P. J. A. Siddiqui and Steve L. Morton
ABSTRACT
Five benthic species of the genus Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae) were observed for the first time in the coastal waters of Pakistan, Northern Indian Ocean. The morphology of the epiphytic, ciguatera-related toxic species G. toxicus, G. belizeanus, G. polynesiensis, G. australes and G. cf. yasumotoi are presented here, described by the Kofoid system of thecal plates Po, 3?, 7˝, 6c, 8s, 5˝?, 1p, 2˝˝ with differences in cell shape, cell size, plates, pores around the apical pore plate by using light and scanning electron microscopy. The occurrence of these potentially toxic dinoflagellate species in Pakistani coastal areas of Manora Channel and Balochistan during high temperatures of 28-32ºC is cause of concern for human health impacts from ciguatera fish poisoning.
Keywords :
ciguatera fish poisoning; Dinophyceae; Gambierdiscus; Northern Indian Ocean; Pakistan
