Genetic Diversity of Heterosigma
akashiwo
In collaboration with Tye Pettay (PI), the goals of this project are to
investigate the diversity of Heterosigma
akashiwo in Delaware's coastal bays and how that
diversity may be linked to blooms and toxicity of this species. Heterosigma akashiwo is a globally distributed harmful algal species that has devastating ecological and economic impacts to coastal fisheries in many areas of the world. The mechanism for toxicity has not been identified, but may be due to production of a suite of toxic compounds and reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide. Not all strains of Heterosigma are toxic however. In this project, we are isolating cells of this species from local blooms and using genetic markers to distinguish between local strains and those from other parts of the world. These genetic markers will be correlated to toxicity, morphology, and physiological characteristics of each strain to understand factors promoting toxic blooms of Heterosigma akashiwo in our local bays.
Collaborator: Tye Pettay (PI), University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. Funded by DE Sea Grant, this project addresses Sea Grant's priority areas “Healthy Coastal Ecosystems” by contributing to our understanding of the risks of HABs to local ecosystems.
