Dinoflagellates producers of yessotoxins in the Argentine Sea

Abstract

Yessotoxins (YTXs) consist of a recently described group of phycotoxins associated with shellfish toxicity and with cardiotoxicity in laboratory rodents. Until now there are only three dinoflagellate species considered as YTXs producers: Protoceratium reticulatum, Gonyaulax spinifera and Lingulodinium polyedra. In this study the presence of YTX and its potential producers in the Argentine Sea was analyzed by four oceanographic expeditions carried out between 38 and 55ºS and during different seasons. Toxin detection was performed by application of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Morphological analysis included optical and scanning electron microscopy. Two YTXs potential producers were found: Protoceratium reticulatum and Gonyaulax spinifera, showing highest concentrations of 660 and 140 cell L-1 respectively, during autumn and spring. YTX were also detected during autumn and spring in samples from San Jorge Gulf and slope waters and were associated with the presence of P. reticulatum, showing toxin cell quotas of 2.2 and 12.5 pg YTX cell-1. The data obtained suggest that P. reticulatum is the main YTXs producer in the Argentine Sea, while G. spinifera represents a potential producer in the region which did not show a clear association with YTX detection.