GEOHAB Core Research Project: HABs in Benthic Systems.

Abstract

Harmful events associated with benthic microalgae (BHABs), have been reported more frequently over the last decade including in areas where BHAB genera were hardly known. Of particular concern are the out- breaks of Gambierdiscus, a toxic dinoflagellate genus associated to the ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). The ciguatoxins produced by Gambierdiscus are bioaccumulated in reef fishes and are responsible for the most common algal toxin-related illnesses, globally affecting the greatest number of victims and often with sig- nificant long-term health effects. Although traditionally considered as a tropical sickness, CFP is also being recently reported on subtropical waters and the Mediterranean Sea, and new species of Gambierdiscus have been identified in these areas.