The Prevalence of Benthic Dinoflagellates Associated with Ciguatera in the Central Red Sea
Type
ThesisAuthors
Catania, DanielaAdvisors
Berumen, Michael L.
Committee members
Anderson, DonaldJones, Burton

Program
Marine ScienceDate
2012-12Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/262736
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study confirms the presence of Gambierdiscus sp., Ostreopsis sp. as well as other epiphytic benthic dinoflagellates associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) in the Central Red Sea, highlighting the potential occurrence of CFP in this region. These species are reported for the first time in Saudi Arabian coastal waters. A total of 80 Turbinaria and Halimeda macroalgae samples were collected from coral reefs off the Saudi Arabian coast. Sample analyses indicated low average cell abundances (< 40 cells g-1 wet weight algae) of Gambierdiscus sp. and Ostreopsis sp. Subsequent statistical analyses indicated a significant difference in the cell abundances of both genera between sampling sites, between species and between inshore and offshore reefs. The presence of several potentially toxigenic dinoflagellate species in the Red Sea and the statistical differences in abundances between different sampling sites merits future study on possible impacts of these dinoflagellates on marine food webs and human health.Citation
Catania, D. (2012). The Prevalence of Benthic Dinoflagellates Associated with Ciguatera in the Central Red Sea. KAUST Research Repository. https://doi.org/10.25781/KAUST-1V102ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.25781/KAUST-1V102