Researchers at Japan’s Yokohama National University have identified a previously unknown species of marine fungus that has the ability to kill harmful algae that form toxic blooms.
The creature was named Argoftra Mediterraneais a microscopic chytrid fungus that can infect a variety of hosts. The chytrid fungi are a diverse group of aquatic fungi, and this discovery suggests they may have a stronger impact on marine ecosystems than scientists previously thought.
Researchers have discovered that this fungus acts as a deadly parasite. Ostreopsis cf. ovala species of algae that causes toxic blooms that can adversely affect human health. The study that explained this finding was Mycology.
Toxic algae and its health risks
There is growing concern about harmful algae blooms in oceans, rivers, and lakes around the world. These outbreaks occur when algae grow rapidly and excessively, often caused by high nutrient levels and higher water temperatures. Such blooms can degrade water quality, destroy ecosystems, and release toxins that threaten both wildlife and humans.
A big flower has bloomed Ostreopsis cf. oval In recent decades, it has been reported more frequently in the Mediterranean Sea. This algae produces a toxin called ovatoxin (OVTX) that can cause symptoms in humans such as runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis, itching, and dermatitis.
Newly identified algae-killing fungus
Argoftra Mediterranea It was first detected in Spanish seawater in 2021 by scientists led by Dr. E. Garcés and Dr. A. Rene of the Spanish Institute of Sciences (ICM). The species was later formally described by Professor Kagami Maiko and doctoral student Nuria Pou Sola of Yokohama National University.
Genetic analysis confirmed that this organism is not only a newly identified species, but also an entirely new genus. Researchers named the genus Argoftra It is a combination of the word “alga” and the Greek word “phthora” which means “destruction”.
Scientists observed that this fungus parasitized cells. See O. overload And you can kill them within a few days. Additional experiments showed that it can also infect several other algae and even feed on their pollen grains.
“Previous DNA-based studies have revealed the diversity of marine fungi, but only a handful of parasite species have been isolated so far, and little is known about their ecology,” Pou Sola said. “Our newly described species stands out for its unusually wide host range and unique feeding strategy, demonstrating that some chytrids have remarkable ecological resilience.”
Studying parasites in detail
To better understand this microbe, the researchers isolated the fungus and recorded time-lapse images every 10 minutes over four days. We also examined the samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM is a technique in which a focused beam of electrons scans the surface of a sample, creating highly detailed images. Fungi were also analyzed by DNA sampling.
“The next step is to investigate how such versatile parasites operate within complex marine communities,” Kagami said. “Ultimately, our goal is to understand how parasitic fungi contribute to and potentially shape ocean biogeochemical cycles, an ecosystem role that has so far been largely ignored.”
“In the future, we aim to improve predictive capabilities and build the knowledge needed to support the management of harmful algae,” Pou Sola added.
