Mr Joseph Perkins1, Prof Jan Strugnell1, Prof Kyall Zenger1, Dr Yang Liu1
1James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
Biography:
Joe Perkins is originally from the North of England, where he completed an undergraduate degree in wildlife conservation and a master’s degree in molecular ecology. He is currently a PhD candidate at James Cook University. His research focuses on ciguatera poisoning along the Great Barrier Reef, utilizing DNA metabarcoding to identify toxic dinoflagellates, including those responsible for ciguatoxin production. His work also involves the use of cell-based and analytical methods to detect and quantify these ciguatoxins in fish, aiming to enhance the understanding and management of the world’s most common non-infectious seafood illness.
Abstract:
Ciguatera poisoning, the most common non-infectious seafood illness worldwide, poses a significant health and economic threat to coastal communities along the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. This condition is caused by ciguatoxins produced by Gambierdiscus, a genus of benthic toxic dinoflagellates. To improve biosecurity and public health strategies, we identify and map Gambierdiscus species along the GBR using DNA metabarcoding. Our study involved collecting benthic algae samples from multiple sites across three main areas of the Great Barrier Reef region (Townsville, Gladstone and Hervey Bay) and libraries were prepared using the 18S gene region. We found five distinct Gambierdiscus species across 179 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), showcasing substantial genetic diversity within the genus. We observed significant variation in species composition and abundance across different locations, highlighting diverse distribution patterns and prevalence of known toxin-producing species. Moreover, our phylogenetic analysis and population structure assessment offer valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships and spatial distribution of these species. The detection of these species provides crucial information for enhancing monitoring and early warning systems. By identifying key areas where ciguatoxin-producing dinoflagellates are prevalent, our findings will help in developing targeted biosecurity measures and management strategies. This research underscores the value of DNA metabarcoding in understanding and mitigating the risks associated with harmful algal bloom species, ultimately aiming to protect coastal communities and their economies from the impacts of ciguatera poisoning.