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Australian duststorm associated with extensive Aspergillus sydowii fungal “bloom” in coastal waters
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 00:33 authored by Gustaaf HallegraeffGustaaf Hallegraeff, Coman, F, Davies, C, Hayashi, A, McLeod, D, Slotwinski, A, Whittock, L, Richardson, AJA massive central Australian dust storm in September 2009 was associated with abundant fungal spores (150,000/m3) and hyphae in coastal waters between Brisbane (27°S) and Sydney (34°S). These spores were successfully germinated from formalin-preserved samples, and using molecular sequencing of three different genes (the large subunit rRNA gene [LSU], internal transcribed spacer [ITS[, and beta-tubulin gene), they were conclusively identified as Aspergillus sydowii, an organism circumstantially associated with gorgonian coral fan disease in the Caribbean. Surprisingly, no human health or marine ecosystem impacts were associated with this Australian dust storm event. Australian fungal cultures were nontoxic to fish gills and caused a minor reduction in the motility of Alexandrium or Chattonella algal cultures but had their greatest impacts on Symbiodinium dinoflagellate coral symbiont motility, with hyphae being more detrimental than spores. While we have not yet seen any soft coral disease outbreaks on the Australian Great Barrier Reef similar to those observed in the Caribbean and while this particular fungal population was non- or weakly pathogenic, our observations raise the possibility of future marine ecosystem pathogen impacts from similar dust storms harboring more pathogenic strains.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Applied and Environmental MicrobiologyVolume
80Issue
11Pagination
3315-3320ISSN
0099-2240Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Amer Soc MicrobiologyPlace of publication
1752 N St Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20036-2904Rights statement
Copyright 2014 American Society for MicrobiologyRepository Status
- Restricted