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In Cuba, ciguatera poisoning associated with fish consumption is the most commonly occurring non-bacterial seafood-borne illness. Risk management through fish market regulation has existed in Cuba for decades and consists of bans on selected species above a certain weight; however, the actual occurrence of ciguatoxins (CTXs) in seafood has never been verified. From this food safety risk management perspective, a study site locally known to be at risk for ciguatera was selected. Analysis of the epiphytic dinoflagellate community identified the microalga Gambierdiscus. Gambierdiscus species included six of the seven species known to be present in Cuba (G. caribaeus, G. belizeanus, G. carpenteri, G. carolinianus, G. silvae, and F. ruetzleri). CTX-like activity in invertebrates, herbivorous and carnivorous fishes were analyzed with a radioligand receptor-binding assay and, for selected samples, with the N2A cell cytotoxicity assay. CTX activity was found in 80% of the organisms sampled, with toxin values ranging from 2 to 8 ng CTX3C equivalents g−1 tissue. Data analysis further confirmed CTXs trophic magnification. This study constitutes the first finding of CTX-like activity in marine organisms in Cuba and in herbivorous fish in the Caribbean. Elucidating the structure–activity relationship and toxicology of CTX from the Caribbean is needed before conclusions may be drawn about risk exposure in Cuba and the wider Caribbean.
Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Rachel J. Clausing; Mark Vandersea; Donaida Chamero-Lago; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Joan I. Hernández-Albernas; Nicolas Chomérat; Gabriel Rojas-Abrahantes; R. Wayne Litaker; Patricia Tester; Jorge Diogène; Carlos M. Alonso-Hernández; Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. Ciguatoxin Occurrence in Food-Web Components of a Cuban Coral Reef Ecosystem: Risk-Assessment Implications. Toxins 2019, 11, 722 .
AMA StyleLisbet Díaz-Asencio, Rachel J. Clausing, Mark Vandersea, Donaida Chamero-Lago, Miguel Gómez-Batista, Joan I. Hernández-Albernas, Nicolas Chomérat, Gabriel Rojas-Abrahantes, R. Wayne Litaker, Patricia Tester, Jorge Diogène, Carlos M. Alonso-Hernández, Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. Ciguatoxin Occurrence in Food-Web Components of a Cuban Coral Reef Ecosystem: Risk-Assessment Implications. Toxins. 2019; 11 (12):722.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLisbet Díaz-Asencio; Rachel J. Clausing; Mark Vandersea; Donaida Chamero-Lago; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Joan I. Hernández-Albernas; Nicolas Chomérat; Gabriel Rojas-Abrahantes; R. Wayne Litaker; Patricia Tester; Jorge Diogène; Carlos M. Alonso-Hernández; Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. 2019. "Ciguatoxin Occurrence in Food-Web Components of a Cuban Coral Reef Ecosystem: Risk-Assessment Implications." Toxins 11, no. 12: 722.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) constitute a worldwide problem, affecting aquatic ecosystems, public health and local economies. Supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2009, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela, have integrated a regional network for early warning of HABs and biotoxins in seafood. Technical capacities have been developed at regional level to identify toxic species, evaluate biota toxicity, and to perform retrospective analysis of HAB occurrence. This network involves 58% of the coastal LAC countries, two regional reference centers (in El Salvador and Cuba), 14 well equipped institutions, and 177 professionals trained to contribute to the operation of HAB and biotoxin monitoring programs. All countries from the network have reported planktonic and benthic toxic species, and in selected cases, associated with toxin in biota. Dinocyst abundance analysis in 210Pb-dated sediment cores have shown that some harmful species have been present in the region for at least 100 years ago, and that both coastal water pollution and climate change are important drivers for HAB occurrence. Efforts must be made to enrich the data base records on HAB events occurred in LAC, better understand key environmental variables that control HABs and expand coverage of HAB monitoring to all coastal countries in LAC to promote sustainable development of the region.
Tomasa Cuellar-Martinez; Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández; Carlos Alonso-Hernández; Oscar Amaya-Monterrosa; Rebeca Quintanilla; Hector Leonel Carrillo-Ovalle; Natalia Arbeláez M; Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Silvia M. Méndez; Maribelle Vargas; Ninoska Fabiola Chow-Wong; Lorelys Rosario Valerio-Gonzalez; Henrik Enevoldsen; Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. Addressing the Problem of Harmful Algal Blooms in Latin America and the Caribbean- A Regional Network for Early Warning and Response. Frontiers in Marine Science 2018, 5, 1 .
AMA StyleTomasa Cuellar-Martinez, Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández, Carlos Alonso-Hernández, Oscar Amaya-Monterrosa, Rebeca Quintanilla, Hector Leonel Carrillo-Ovalle, Natalia Arbeláez M, Lisbet Díaz-Asencio, Silvia M. Méndez, Maribelle Vargas, Ninoska Fabiola Chow-Wong, Lorelys Rosario Valerio-Gonzalez, Henrik Enevoldsen, Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. Addressing the Problem of Harmful Algal Blooms in Latin America and the Caribbean- A Regional Network for Early Warning and Response. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2018; 5 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTomasa Cuellar-Martinez; Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández; Carlos Alonso-Hernández; Oscar Amaya-Monterrosa; Rebeca Quintanilla; Hector Leonel Carrillo-Ovalle; Natalia Arbeláez M; Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Silvia M. Méndez; Maribelle Vargas; Ninoska Fabiola Chow-Wong; Lorelys Rosario Valerio-Gonzalez; Henrik Enevoldsen; Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. 2018. "Addressing the Problem of Harmful Algal Blooms in Latin America and the Caribbean- A Regional Network for Early Warning and Response." Frontiers in Marine Science 5, no. : 1.
Hypoxia is the depletion of dissolved oxygen below 2 mg O2/L. Relatively few studies on hypoxia and its effects on benthic macrofauna have been done in tropical marine ecosystems. This study describes the temporal response of the water column, sediments and macrofauna to seasonal hypoxia in a semi-enclosed bay (Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea). The Calisito site was sampled monthly from June 2010 until February 2012, yielding 21 sampling times. At each sampling event water and sediment samples were collected for measuring the abiotic variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, redox potential discontinuity, silt/clay and organic matter content) and macrofauna (abundance and species richness). Temperature and surface salinity followed a typical temporal pattern during the summer/rainy and the winter/dry periods. Salinity stratification occurred in the rainy period, lasting three months in 2010 and six months in 2011. The bottom water dissolved oxygen indicated hypoxic and anoxic events during the wet periods of 2010 and 2011 associated with salinity stratification, low hydrodynamics and oxidation of the accumulated organic matter. Over the study period, 817 individuals were collected and identified. Polychaetes were the dominant group in terms of abundance (57 % of total) followed by mollusks (41%). Hypoxia (and occasionally anoxia) caused strong deleterious effects on the abundance and species richness of macrofaunal communities in the study site. The most abundant polychaetes were opportunistic species with high tolerance to hypoxic conditions: Prionospio steenstrupi, Polydora sp.and Paraprionospio pinnata. Most of them colonized relatively fast once hypoxia ended. Persistent species such as Caecum pulchellum and Parvanachis obesa were present during hypoxia with fluctuating densities and apparently recover to higher abundances when normoxic conditions are re-established. Macoma tenta and Tellina consobrina colonized approximately 1-2 months later than the first polychaete peak during normoxia. Probably, the deleterious effects of hypoxia on the macrofauna were intensified by negative interspecific relationships such as competition by suitable space and predation. The recolonization of macrofauna depended possibly on local transport by currents within the bay because the connection with the Caribbean Sea is relatively limited. In summary, seasonal hypoxia in Cienfuegos Bay influences the water and sediment geochemistry and reduces both the abundance and diversity of macrofauna.
Lisbet Díaz Asencio; Yusmila Helguera; Raúl Fernández-Garcés; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Guillermo Rosell; Yurisbey Hernández; Anabell Pulido; Maickel Armenteros. Two-year temporal response of benthic macrofauna and sediments to hypoxia in a tropical semi-enclosed bay (Cienfuegos, Cuba). Revista de Biología Tropical 2016, 64, 177 -188.
AMA StyleLisbet Díaz Asencio, Yusmila Helguera, Raúl Fernández-Garcés, Miguel Gómez-Batista, Guillermo Rosell, Yurisbey Hernández, Anabell Pulido, Maickel Armenteros. Two-year temporal response of benthic macrofauna and sediments to hypoxia in a tropical semi-enclosed bay (Cienfuegos, Cuba). Revista de Biología Tropical. 2016; 64 (1):177-188.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLisbet Díaz Asencio; Yusmila Helguera; Raúl Fernández-Garcés; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Guillermo Rosell; Yurisbey Hernández; Anabell Pulido; Maickel Armenteros. 2016. "Two-year temporal response of benthic macrofauna and sediments to hypoxia in a tropical semi-enclosed bay (Cienfuegos, Cuba)." Revista de Biología Tropical 64, no. 1: 177-188.
Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of polychaete assemblages were described in six subtidal sampling stations within Cienfuegos Bay, a Cuban semi-enclosed bay in the Caribbean Sea for 4 months (February and September 2006, February and May 2007). This bay is strongly polluted due to the accumulation of organic enrichment and heavy metals in sediments. Macrofaunal assemblages were impoverished and their distribution highly patchy across stations and months. Molluscs, arthropods and echinoderms were scarce, but small-size opportunistic polychaete species such as Polydora sp. and Streblospio benedicti were predominant. The synergistic effects of low hydrodynamics and hypoxia derived from organic enrichment probably explain the distribution patterns of macrofauna. Heavy metal contamination appears to have minor effects on fauna; low bioavailability of metals and tolerance of fauna can explain this hypothesis. Seasonal changes of macrofauna can be related to water stagnation in the wet (summer) period and concomitant increase of hypoxia. Clear symptoms of eutrophication related to organic enrichment and a depleted macrofauna suggest a threatened ecosystem where management actions have to be applied urgently.
Yusmila Helguera; Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Raúl Fernández-Garcés; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Aniel Guillén; Misael Díaz-Asencio; Maickel Armenteros. Distribution patterns of macrofaunal polychaete assemblages in a polluted semi-enclosed bay: Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea. Marine Biology Research 2011, 7, 757 -768.
AMA StyleYusmila Helguera, Lisbet Díaz-Asencio, Raúl Fernández-Garcés, Miguel Gómez-Batista, Aniel Guillén, Misael Díaz-Asencio, Maickel Armenteros. Distribution patterns of macrofaunal polychaete assemblages in a polluted semi-enclosed bay: Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea. Marine Biology Research. 2011; 7 (8):757-768.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYusmila Helguera; Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Raúl Fernández-Garcés; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Aniel Guillén; Misael Díaz-Asencio; Maickel Armenteros. 2011. "Distribution patterns of macrofaunal polychaete assemblages in a polluted semi-enclosed bay: Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea." Marine Biology Research 7, no. 8: 757-768.
Marine nematodes from subtidal tropical sediments of Cienfuegos Bay were subjected to organic enrichment in a microcosm experiment for 32 days. Nematode abundance and diversity decreased, and the taxonomic and trophic structure was altered. The results suggested that the nematodes were not food limited in the microcosms or in their natural environment. Chemical stressors such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide derived from reduced conditions in sediments may be important factors affecting the assemblages. Hypoxic conditions occurred in all experimental units, as well as in the field, suggesting a nematode assemblage adapted to naturally enriched sediments. However, tolerant species showed a grade of sensitivity to reduced conditions. In agreement with the model by Pearson and Rosenberg (1978), we predict that further organic enrichment in sediments from Cienfuegos Bay may cause a phase shift into a strongly depleted benthic fauna and reduced conditions in water and sediments.
Maickel Armenteros; José Andrés Pérez-García; Alexei Ruiz-Abierno; Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Yusmila Helguera; Magda Vincx; Wilfrida Decraemer. Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment. Marine Environmental Research 2010, 70, 374 -382.
AMA StyleMaickel Armenteros, José Andrés Pérez-García, Alexei Ruiz-Abierno, Lisbet Díaz-Asencio, Yusmila Helguera, Magda Vincx, Wilfrida Decraemer. Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment. Marine Environmental Research. 2010; 70 (5):374-382.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaickel Armenteros; José Andrés Pérez-García; Alexei Ruiz-Abierno; Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Yusmila Helguera; Magda Vincx; Wilfrida Decraemer. 2010. "Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment." Marine Environmental Research 70, no. 5: 374-382.
Lisbet Díaz-Asencio; Misael Díaz-Asencio; Raúl Fernández-Garcés; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Maickel Armenteros; Carlos Alonso-Hernández. Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba. Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía 2009, 44, 13 -22.
AMA StyleLisbet Díaz-Asencio, Misael Díaz-Asencio, Raúl Fernández-Garcés, Miguel Gómez-Batista, Maickel Armenteros, Carlos Alonso-Hernández. Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba. Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía. 2009; 44 (1):13-22.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLisbet Díaz-Asencio; Misael Díaz-Asencio; Raúl Fernández-Garcés; Miguel Gómez-Batista; Maickel Armenteros; Carlos Alonso-Hernández. 2009. "Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba." Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía 44, no. 1: 13-22.