First record of toxins associated with cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic North Patagonian lakes of Chilea genomic approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Nimptsch, J (Author) Other; Woelfl, S (Author) Other; Osorio, S (Author) Other; Valenzuela, J (Author) Other; Moreira, C (Author) Other; Ramos, V (Author) Other; Castelo Branco, R (Author) Other; Pedro N Leao (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY

Vol. 101

Pages: 57-68

ISSN: 1434-2944

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

Scopus - 30 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-CS9

DOI: 10.1002/iroh.201401780

Abstract (EN): Blooms of cyanobacteria have negative effects on aquatic organisms and even on human health, since many species can synthesize dangerous toxins. Studies on cyanobacteria and their potential toxicity have been very scarce in Chile and have been limited to lakes of the central zone. Recently, North-Patagonian lakes, although characterized by their low nutrient concentration and low productivity, revealed also the presence of blooms of cyanobacteria, mainly constituted by Microcystis and Dolichospermum species (former Anabaena sp.). To identify potential toxicological risk associated to these blooms, six North Patagonian lakes (Lakes Caburgua, Villarrica, Calafquen, Panguipulli, Ranco, and Puyehue) were sampled during the summer period and screened for the presence of cyanobacteria and different toxins. Our results revealed for the first time the presence of microcystins in all studied lakes, whereas other toxins such as cylindrospermopsin, saxitoxin, and anatoxin were negative for all sites. By applying a genomic approach, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii was found in one lake (Lake Ranco) constituting the first report of this cyanobacterium in a Chilean lake. This study highlights the effectiveness of molecular methods as a first approach to describe cyanobacteria and their potential cyanotoxins in Chilean North-Patagonian lakes.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12