Increase in animals killed by algae toxin

Scientists studying sea lions in California say there's an increase of animals affected by domoic acid, a toxin produced by specific types of algal blooms.

In high doses, domoic acid is fatal, but in lower doses, it can trigger miscarriages and cause gradual, irreversible decay of brain tissue, according to Frances Gulland of The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, Calif.

Algal blooms are believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including agricultural run-off, oceanographic properties and global warming.

In the last five years, more than 1,000 animals have died from domoic acid poisoning, says Gulland.

"Sea lions eat the same foods we do, but more of them -- foods like anchovies, squid, salmon, and mussels -- we may see the effects of domoic acid in them before we see it people," says Gulland. "Sea lions may be an early warning sign for humans."

The findings were presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in St. Louis.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

Related stories:

'Deadly dozen' reports diseases worsened by climate change
Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society today released a report that lists 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, with potential impacts to both human and wildlife health and global economies. Called The Deadly Dozen: Wildlife Diseases in the Age of Climate Change, the new report provides examples of diseases that could spread as a result of changes in temperatures and precipitation levels. The best defense, according to the report's authors, is a good offense in the form of wildlife monitoring to detect how these diseases are moving so health professionals can learn and prepare to mitigate their impact.
Domoic acid from toxic algal blooms may cause seizures in California sea lions
Scientists, reporting in the current issue of the online journal Marine Drugs, state that an increase of epileptic seizures and behavioral abnormalities in California sea lions can result from low-dose exposure to domoic acid as a fetus. The findings follow an analysis earlier this year led by Frances Gulland of the California Marine Mammal Center that showed this brain disturbance to be a newly recognized chronic disease.
Large blooms of toxic algae in Monterey Bay are affecting marine animals
Researchers have detected large blooms of toxin-producing algae in Monterey Bay that appear to be poisoning marine mammals and seabirds. Blooms of the algae, which produce a neurotoxin called domoic acid, first appeared in southern California earlier this spring and are now occurring along the Central Coast.

News discussion:

General Science news