(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - ciguatera(poison)
OTHER COMMON NAMES - ciguatera and ciguatera poisoning
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Other Aquatic Invertebrate Taxa
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - ,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - ,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - ,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Gambierdiscus,
SPECIES AND SSP - toxicus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Gambierdiscus toxicus
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 214
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Ciguatera (pronounced "si gwah teh' rah) is a human illness that results
from the consumption of the toxic meat of many species of large, marine,
tropical and subtropical food-fish *214*.
The illness is caused by at least several toxic dinoflagellates, mainly
Gambierdiscus toxicus.*214*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Unclassified
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 214
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 214
LAND USE -
Water
Atlantic Ocean Coastal Waters
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 214
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine RF.
Marine RF1
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 214
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
One of the first documented sources of ciguatera polyether toxins in the
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans was Gambierdiscus toxicus, a single-celled,
benthic dinoflagellate smaller than a hundredth of an inch in diameter.
Recently, however, other toxic dinoflagellates, which are usually attached
to algae in coral reef environments or shallow waters, have also been
implicated *214*.
Preferred habitats of the organisms are usually areas sheltered from wave
action with little freshwater input. The cells are most frequently found
in water down to 100 feet deep. They are usually found attached to larger
algae and often associated with coral reefs or other hard surfaces, such
as shipwrecks *214*.
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
algae
fish
REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 214
COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Ciguatera toxins tend to become concentrated in larger animals near the top
of the food chain. About 400 species of fish and a few invertebrates
throughout the marine tropics have been implicated in ciguatera poisonings
*214*.
The toxic organisms are usually found attached to larger algae *214*.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OTHER
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 214
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
All of the dinoflagellates suspect as possible toxin-bearing cells are
photosynthetic. Photosynthetic organisms use the sun's energy, in the
presence of chlorophyll and water, to produce carbohydrates (food) and
release oxygen *214*.
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Turbidity: Specified in Comments
G Substrate: Plants
G Substrate: Specified in Comments
G Relation to Substrate: Specified in Comments
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Coastal Features: Reefs
G Coastal Features: Specified in Comments
G Human Association: Specified in Comments
G Wave intensity: specified in comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 214
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Ciguatera is a human illness that results from the consumption of the toxic
meat of many species of large, marine, tropical and subtropical food-fish.
Gambierdiscus toxicus and other ciguateric organisms inhabit tropical and
subtropical waters of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Their abundance varies with the season, water depth, seafloor (substrate)
and environmental factors, such as temperature and salinity.
Preferred habitats of the organisms are usually areas sheltered from wave
action with little freshwater input. The cells are most frequently found
in water down to 100 feet deep. They are usually found attached to larger
algae and often associated with coral reefs or other hard surfaces, such
as shipwrecks *214*.
The organisms seem to flourish following some major disturbance to a reef.
For example, ciguatera outbreaks have been associated with construction on
or dredging of reefs. Natural disturbances, such as severe storms, may
also disrupt reef communities and ciguateric organisms then increase. In
either case, the "clean" exposed hard surfaces are first colonized by
macroalgae, which become the substrate for dinoflagellates *214*.
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
DEFINITION
Ciguatera (pronounced "si gwah teh' rah) is a human illness that results
from the consumption of the toxic meat of many species of large, marine,
tropical and subtropical food-fish *214*.
Ciguatera toxin(s) are compounds known as polyether substances. The disease
cannot be attributed to a single toxic compound. The toxins originate from
single-celled, microscopic dinoflagellates, primarily Gambierdiscus toxicus
and some other benthic species, which pass through the food web from prey
to predator. Ciguatera toxins tend to become concentrated in larger animals
near the top of the food chain.
About 400 species of fish and a few invertebrates throughout the marine
tropics have been implicated in ciguatera poisonings. Some groupers,
snappers, tropical mackerels, barracuda, jacks and hogfish are included
among the potential sources of ciguatera. In Florida, large barracuda,
grouper and snapper are most often implicated *214*.
CIGUATOXIC CELLS
One of the first documented sources of ciguatera polyether toxins in the
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans was Gambierdiscus toxicus, a single-celled,
benthic dinoflagellate smaller than a hundredth of an inch in diameter.
Recently, however, other toxic dinoflagellates, which are usually attached
to algae in coral reef environment or shallow waters, have also been
implicated. Among the organisms identified as possible toxin-bearing cells
are Prorocentrum concavum and P. mexicanum. Several other dinoflagellate
species are suspect and are also under investigation. All of them are
photosynthetic dinoflagellates. However, more than a thousand other species
are not toxin-bearing. Photosynthetic dinoflagellates are important
producers of oxygen and organic carbon, hence vital components of the marine
environment *214*.
REPRODUCTION
As a single-celled organism, Gambierdiscus toxicus reproduces asexually by
cell division. In common with other dinoflagellates, however, it probably
has a sexual reproductive phase *214*.
PREDATION
Dinoflagellates are food for many small marine animals that browse through
tropical algal and coral reef communities. In turn, small animals are food
to larger crustaceans and fish, and so on through the food web. The larger
predators, near the top of this chain, ingest the toxin apparently unharmed.
As they continue to feed on ciguateric prey, they continue to accumulate
the toxins in their bodies. If these animals are consumed by humans, the
toxins in the fish flesh and organs cause the illness known as ciguatera
*214*.
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 214
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Adverse Placing artificial reefs under water
Adverse Dredging
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 214
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 214
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
NOTE: Above codes are addressed to impact on human health.
The organisms seem to flourish following some major disturbance to a reef.
Ciguatera outbreaks have been associated with construction on or dredging
of reefs. Natural disturbances, such as severe storms, may also disrupt
reef communities and ciguateric organisms then increase. In either case,
the "clean" exposed hard surfaces are first colonized by macroalgae, which
become the substrate for dinoflagellates *214*.
A recent consideration has developed in regard to the construction of
artificial reefs in areas where the potential introduction of toxic
dinoflagellates may initiate ciguatera. Placement of artificial habitats
should be carefully considered *214*.
PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS
As commercial fishing for tropical reef fishes increases, a rise in the
widespread occurrence of ciguatera is expected. In 1980, 12 people in
Maryland were afflicted, and in 1982, one case was recorded in Boston. Both
incidents involved grouper shipped from Florida *214*.
Each year, ciguatera poisonings in tropical and subtropical regions
worldwide are estimated to be in the tens of thousands, with a 1% mortality
rate. In endemic areas, such as the Virgin Islands, where people are
familiar with the disease, episodes of illness are not always reported to
health officials. As a result, case numbers reported by doctors and
hospitals are low.
In the United States and its territories, ciguatera is the most frequently
reported food-borne disease associated with a naturally occurring chemical
(toxin). In the three-years from 1974-1976, 129 cases were documented in a
Miami, Florida, study. Ciguatera illness is not considered to be a
"reportable" disease, however, nor is the illness always rcognized as
ciguatera toxicity, so statistics on its occurrence are probably low *214*.
Ciguatera toxicity is separate and distinct from illnesses in humans due to
bacterial contamination from improperly handled seafood.
The ciguatera toxins are temperature-stable, mostly oil-soluble compounds.
Cooking, freezing or smoking fish will not destroy the toxins.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
Unfortunately, the toxins cannot be detected in the meat by appearance or
taste.
Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning usually appear in three to five hours after
the toxic fish has been eaten. Most victims suffer nausea and vomiting,
watery diarrhea, numbness and tingling about the mouth and extremities.
More severe cases may suffer muscle pains, dizziness and sensations of
temperature reversal, where hot objects seem cold and cold things seem hot.
Normal recovery usually requires several days to several weeks.
At this time, treatment is symptomatic, easing the distress of nausea,
diarrhea and pain. A specific treatment does not exist for ciguatera
illness. Mortalities are extremely rare *214*.
CURRENT RESEARCH
Scientists are seeking a simple chemical diagnostic test to detect
ciguatoxin in seafood. Current procedures include complicated laboratory
techniques and animal assays, and are not practical for routine
surveillance. In Hawaii, a simple test kit for distribution to fishermen is
under consideration *214*.
Several hundred species of fish and invertebrates have been implicated in
ciguatera cases, so continued research efforts are of vital concern *214*.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species ciguatera(poison)
Species Id M090010
Date 26 AUG 96
References
214 * Stewart, V.N. 1988. Sea-Stats - A summary of information
and statistics on marine organisms common in Florida waters.
Ciguatera. (3) (ed.). FL Dept. of Natural Resources St.
Petersburg, FL:6.
References - 1