University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

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, AJ
A 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 Microbiology

Volume

80

Issue

11

Pagination

3315-3320

ISSN

0099-2240

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Soc Microbiology

Place of publication

1752 N St Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20036-2904

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 American Society for Microbiology

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Fisheries - aquaculture not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC