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Rapid and accurate identification by real-time PCR of biotoxin-producing dinoflagellates from the family Gymnodiniaceae

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posted on 2023-05-19, 06:46 authored by Smith, KF, Miguel de SalasMiguel de Salas, Adamson, J, Rhodes, LL
The identification of toxin-producing dinoflagellates for monitoring programmes and bio-compound discovery requires considerable taxonomic expertise. It can also be difficult to morphologically differentiate toxic and non-toxic species or strains. Various molecular methods have been used for dinoflagellate identification and detection, and this study describes the development of eight real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA) gene of species from the genera Gymnodinium, Karenia, Karlodinium, and Takayama. Assays proved to be highly specific and sensitive, and the assay for G. catenatum was further developed for quantification in response to a bloom in Manukau Harbour, New Zealand. The assay estimated cell densities from environmental samples as low as 0.07 cells per PCR reaction, which equated to three cells per litre. This assay not only enabled conclusive species identification but also detected the presence of cells below the limit of detection for light microscopy. This study demonstrates the usefulness of real-time PCR as a sensitive and rapid molecular technique for the detection and quantification of micro-algae from environmental samples.

History

Publication title

Marine Drugs

Volume

12

Pagination

1361-1376

ISSN

1660-3397

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Molecular Diversity Preservation International

Place of publication

Switzerland

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in marine environments

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