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The Prevalence of Benthic Dinoflagellates Associated with Ciguatera in the Central Red Sea

This study confirms the presence of Gambierdiscus sp., Ostreopsis sp. as well as other
epiphytic benthic dinoflagellates associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) in the
Central Red Sea, highlighting the potential occurrence of CFP in this region. These species
are reported for the first time in Saudi Arabian coastal waters. A total of 80 Turbinaria and
Halimeda macroalgae samples were collected from coral reefs off the Saudi Arabian coast.
Sample analyses indicated low average cell abundances (< 40 cells g-1 wet weight algae) of
Gambierdiscus sp. and Ostreopsis sp. Subsequent statistical analyses indicated a significant
difference in the cell abundances of both genera between sampling sites, between species and
between inshore and offshore reefs. The presence of several potentially toxigenic
dinoflagellate species in the Red Sea and the statistical differences in abundances between
different sampling sites merits future study on possible impacts of these dinoflagellates on
marine food webs and human health.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:kaust.edu.sa/oai:repository.kaust.edu.sa:10754/262736
Date12 1900
CreatorsCatania, Daniela
ContributorsBerumen, Michael L., Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Anderson, Donald, Jones, Burton
Source SetsKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

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