Open AccessUse of molecular probes to assess geographic distribution of Pfiesteria species.
Author(s) -
Parke A. Rublee,
Jason W. Kempton,
Eric F. Schaefer,
Coy Allen,
Janera Harris,
David Oldach,
Holly A. Bowers,
Torstein Tengs,
JoAnn M. Burkholder,
Howard B. Glasgow
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
environmental health perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257
H-Index - 282
eISSN - 1552-9924
pISSN - 0091-6765
DOI - 10.1289/ehp.01109s5765
Subject(s) - estuary , biology , fish kill , range (aeronautics) , environmental dna , sediment , ecology , polymerase chain reaction , fishery , zoology , algal bloom , phytoplankton , biodiversity , paleontology , biochemistry , materials science , nutrient , gene , composite material
We have developed multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for the detection of Pfiesteria sp. in cultures and environmental samples. More than 2,100 water and sediment samples from estuarine sites of the U.S. Atlantic and gulf coasts were assayed for the presence of Pfiesteria piscicida Steidinger & Burkholder and Pfiesteria shumwayae Glasgow & Burkholder by PCR probing of extracted DNA. Positive results were found in about 3% of samples derived from routine monitoring of coastal waters and about 8% of sediments. The geographic range of both species was the same, ranging from New York to Texas. Pfiesteria spp. are likely common and generally benign inhabitants of coastal areas, but their presence maintains a potential for fish and human health problems.