PCR identification of toxic euglenid species Euglena sanguinea

Abstract

Euglena sanguinea Ehrenberg is the only known species of euglenids which forms toxic blooms causing tangible losses to fish farms. Euglena sanguinea produces euglenophycin, a toxin similar in structure to solenopsin, an alkaloid found in fire ant venom. It was proved that euglenophycin exhibits not only ichthyotoxic but also herbicidal and anticancer activity. Recently, a specific mass spectrometric method of identification and quantitation of euglenophycin was developed to facilitate monitoring of that toxin in freshwater ponds. Despite the recent taxonomic verifications, proper identification of E. sanguinea is still difficult, especially for less experienced researchers. Herein, we describe a simple method based on nested PCR amplification of the nSSU rDNA fragments to identify a single E. sanguinea cell and its detection in a sample of water. The method will further facilitate monitoring of water reservoirs, especially estimating the risk of toxic blooms.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s10811-017-1376-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ecology of freshwater harmful euglenophytes: A review

“…Thirteen toxic euglenoid blooms in freshwater aquaculture ponds were documented in the United States (mainly North and South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi) at the beginning of the twenty-first century [ 24 ]. Euglenoid toxic bloom events in North and South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi were mainly dominated by E. sanguinea , which was isolated, cultured, and identified as a cause of fish mortality.…”

“…The alkaloid toxin euglenophycin was initially identified as being produced by E. sanguinea [ 24 ]. In addition to E. sanguinea , seven other species of the euglenophytes are reported to produce euglenophycin.…”

“…In a study published by Zimba et al [ 23 ], euglenophycin was demonstrated to be ichthyotoxic, herbicidal, and anticancer. Euglena sanguinea is the most common euglenoid species found in toxic blooms [ 24 ]. Furthermore, a dense bloom of euglenophytes inhibits the growth of edible beneficial phytoplankton by reducing oxygen levels and obstructing the passage of light [ 25 ].…”

Toxic Algae in Inland Waters of the Conterminous United States—A Review and Synthesis

“…Fish exposed to euglenophycin in the laboratory exhibited behavioral changes that included loss of equilibria and disorientation, see [42]. The discovery of euglenophycin was relatively recent, and methods for its detection are emerging [232,233].…”

Contemporary integrative taxonomy for sexually deprived protists: A case study of Trachelomonas (Euglenaceae) from western Ukraine

“…The exemplary subject of this study to demonstrate a good practice to resolve taxonomic challenges in protists are euglenophytes. These represent an ecologically and economically important group of unicellular plankton organisms, as they include numerous primary producers but can cause massive algal blooms, resulting in fish culture losses (Kulczycka & al., ). Trachelomonas Ehrenb.…”