Harmful algae: Effects of cyanobacterial cyclic peptides on aquatic invertebrates-a short review

Adam Bownik

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.10.017

Harmful algae: Effects of cyanobacterial cyclic peptides on aquatic invertebrates-a short review

Toxicon. 2016 Oct 28:S0041-0101(16)30319-1. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.10.017. Online ahead of print.

Author

Adam Bownik¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13 Str., 20-950 Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: adambownik@wp.pl.

PMID: 27984061
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.10.017

Abstract

Cyanotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria. Cyclic peptides, microcystins and nodularin commonly detected in water reservoirs of different parts of the world may induce various detrimental effects in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to humans. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the effects of microcystins and nodularin on aquatic invertebrates: zooplankton, decapods and mollusks. Accumulation of microcystins and nodularin in these organisms and possible transfer of the cyanotoxins through the food web and possible threat to humans as consumers are also discussed.

Keywords: Cyanobacteria; Cyanotoxins; Invertebrates; Microcystins; Nodularin.

Publication types

Review