Classification of Protogonyaulax tamarensis from Northern Japan into Three Strains by Toxin Composition

Abstract

Seven isolates of Protogonyaulax tamarensis from various locations of the Tohoku and Hokkaido districts were grown unialgally and their toxins were analyzed. The results indicate that they can be classified into 3 strains by toxin profiles. The one from Funka Bay was unique in producing saxitoxin along with the 5 components common to other strains; gonyautoxin I–IV and neosaxitoxin. No apparent difference was observed among the toxin profiles of 4 isolates collected at Ofunato Bay at different times, indicating the prevalence of only one strain in the bay. Okkirai and Kesennuma isolates could be included in one strain and easily distinguished from Funka Bay and Ofunato Bay strains by their production of a large amount of neoxaxitoxin, exceeding 50% of the total toxicity. Protogonyaulax sp. isolated at Lake Saroma did not show any toxicity. © 1982, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.