High genetic variability of Alexandrium catenella directly detected in environmental samples from the Southern Austral Ecosystem of Chile

Fernando A Cruzat; Christian Muñoz; Rodrigo R González-Saldía; Agar Inostroza; Karl B Andree

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.022

High genetic variability of Alexandrium catenella directly detected in environmental samples from the Southern Austral Ecosystem of Chile

Mar Pollut Bull. 2018 Feb:127:437-444. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.022. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Authors

Fernando A Cruzat¹, Christian Muñoz², Rodrigo R González-Saldía³, Agar Inostroza², Karl B Andree⁴

Affiliations

¹ Marine Biotechnology Unit, Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, University of Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile; Center for Oceanographic Research COPAS Sur-Austral, University of Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile. Electronic address: fecruzat@udec.cl.
² Marine Biotechnology Unit, Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, University of Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
³ Marine Biotechnology Unit, Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, University of Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile; Center for Oceanographic Research COPAS Sur-Austral, University of Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
⁴ IRTA, Ctra Poble Nou km 5,5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Rapita, Tarragona, Spain.

PMID: 29475682
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.022

Abstract

Chilean waters are often affected by Alexandrium catenella, one of the leading organisms behind Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). Genetic variability for this species are commonly carried out from cultured samples, approach that may not accurately quantify genetic variability of this organism in the water column. In this study, genetic variability of A. catenella was determined by sequencing the rDNA region, in water samples from the Canal Puyuhuapi (South Austral Ecosystem of Chile). A. catenella was detected in 8,8% of samples analysed. All sequences obtained were A. catenella (Tamara complex group I), with three highly frequent haplotypes (34%), and twenty new haplotypes. These haplotypes increase the genetic variability from 2.8% to 3.14% in this area. Through this new method, genetic determination of A. catenella can accurately be monitored and ecological studies of this species can be implemented.

Keywords: Alexandrium catenella; Alexandrium fundyense; Genetic variability; Molecular detection.

MeSH terms

Chile
Dinoflagellida / genetics*
Ecosystem*
Genetic Variation
Haplotypes
Water / parasitology*

Substances

Water