Title: Temporal distribution of Dinophysis spp. in relation to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning shellfish toxicity

Authors: Ivona Marasovic, Zivana Nincevic-Gladan, Sanda Skejic, Branka Grbec, Mia Buzancic, Ivana Ujevic

Addresses: Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 58000, Croatia. ' Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 58000, Croatia. ' Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 58000, Croatia. ' Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 58000, Croatia. ' Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 58000, Croatia. ' Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 58000, Croatia

Abstract: Analysis of Istrian shellfish breeding areas for (Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning; DSP) shellfish toxicity were recorded in summer and autumn 2005 as part of Croatian shellfish breeding areas monitoring programme. As well as analysis of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), DSP and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) through mouse bioassay, analysis of toxic species present in the phytoplankton community was also established. The abundance and temporal distribution of the following suspect toxic species: Dinophysis acuta, Dinophysis acuminata, Dinophysis caudata, Dinophysis fortii, Dinophysis rotundata, Dinophysis sacculus and Dinophysis tripos were analysed. Comparisons between records made in 2003 without evidence of toxicity and the years of this study found the longest shellfish poisoning event for any Croatian shellfish farms. The results of this analysis suggest that such toxicity may be in part due to the presence of the species D. fortii and D. caudata.

Keywords: Adriatic Sea; DSP; Dynophysis spp.; toxic phytoplankton; diarrhetic shellfish poisoning; shellfish toxicity; Croatia; shellfish farms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2007.017873

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2007 Vol.1 No.3, pp.493 - 506

Published online: 20 Apr 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article