Researchers at Yokohama National University in Japan have identified a previously unknown species of marine fungus able to killing harmful algae that form toxic blooms.
The organism, named, is a microscopic chytrid fungus that may infect a wide range of hosts. Chytrids are a various group of aquatic fungi, and the invention suggests they could be influencing marine ecosystems way more strongly than scientists thought.
The researchers found that the fungus acts as a deadly parasite, a sort of algae liable for toxic blooms that may negatively affect human health. A study describing the invention was published in
Toxic Algae and Their Health Hazards
Harmful algal blooms have develop into a growing concern in oceans, rivers and lakes around the globe. Outbreaks occur when algae grow rapidly and excessively, often attributable to high nutrient levels and warm water temperatures. Such blooms can degrade water quality, disrupt ecosystems, and release toxins that pose a threat to each wildlife and folks.
Large blooms have been reported incessantly within the Mediterranean Sea in recent many years. This alga produces a toxin called ovatoxin (OVTX), which might cause symptoms in humans including runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, itching and skin inflammation.
A newly identified algae-killing fungus
It was first discovered in Spanish seawater in 2021 by scientists from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) in Spain, led by Dr. E. Garcés and Dr. A. Reñé. The species was later formally described by Professor Maiko Kagami and PhD student Nuria Po-Sola at Yokohama National University.
Genetic evaluation confirmed that the organism represented not only a newly identified species but additionally a wholly latest species. The researchers named the genus by combining the word ‘alga’ with the Greek word ‘phthora’, which implies ‘destruction’.
Scientists observed that the fungus parasitizes cells and might kill them inside days. Additional experiments show that it could infect many other species of algae and even eat pollen grains.
“Although previous DNA-based surveys have revealed a wide diversity of marine fungi, only a handful of parasitic species have been isolated, and their ecology has remained largely unknown,” Po Sula said. “Our newly described species is notable for its unusually wide host range and specific feeding strategy, demonstrating that some chytrid fungi have remarkable environmental flexibility.”
To study parasites intimately
To higher understand the organism, the researchers isolated the fungus and recorded time-lapse images every ten minutes over a four-day period. They also examined the samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a method by which a focused beam of electrons scans the surface of a sample to create highly detailed images. Fungi were also analyzed by DNA sampling.
“The next step is to investigate how such versatile parasites function in complex marine communities,” Kagami said. “Ultimately, our goal is to understand how parasitic fungi contribute — and potentially — to ocean biogeochemical cycles, an ecosystem role that has so far been largely overlooked.”
“In the future we want to develop the necessary knowledge to improve our predictive ability and contribute to the management of harmful algal blooms,” adds Pou-Solà .