Degree
Master of Science
Program
Biology
Supervisor
Dr. Charles G. Trick
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are vast expanses of noxious or toxic phytoplankton that periodically dominate coastal ocean waters or freshwater systems. An especially damaging type of HAB are the species that kill fish. In this thesis, a potentially invasive marine fish-killing flagellate, Prymnesium parvum, was investigated for its tolerance to freshwater conditions. This species has invaded some freshwater systems in the southern United States. The thesis examines if the growth rate and toxicity of Prymnesium parvum remain high under low salinities similar to freshwater systems. A hemolytic lysis assay was used as a proxy for toxicity. The findings presented here indicate that the three Prymnesium parvum isolates shared a similar growth and toxicity response, regardless of origin. All isolates could grow well at low salinities and all retain their toxicity. Findings from this thesis indicate that should this species “invade” and establish itself in the Great Lakes, it could thrive and exhibit a toxic phenotype.
Recommended Citation
Dulal-Whiteway, Christine, "Hemolytic Activity in the Euryhaline Fish-Killing Phytoflagellate Prymnesium parvum under Environmental Stresses" (2016). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4165.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4165