Diversity and distribution of benthic dinoflagellates in Tonga include the potentially harmful genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa.

Benthic dinoflagellates that can cause illness, such as ciguatera poisoning (CP), are prevalent around the Pacific but are poorly described in many locations. This study represents the first ecological assessment of benthic harmful algae species in the Kingdom of Tonga, a country where CP occurs regularly. Surveys were conducted in June 2016 in the Tongatapu island group, and in June 2017 across three island groups: Ha'apai, Vava'u, and Tongatapu.

Biophysical and anthropogenic influences on the status of Tonga's coral reefs and reef fish fishery.

Despite increasing threats to Tonga's coral reefs from stressors that are both local (e.g. overfishing and pollution) and global (e.

Molecular Identification of Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa (Dinophyceae) from Environmental Samples.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) is increasing across the Pacific and the distribution of the causative dinoflagellates appears to be expanding. Subtle differences in thecal plate morphology are used to distinguish dinoflagellate species, which are difficult to determine using light microscopy. For these reasons we sought to develop a Quantitative PCR assay that would detect all species from both and genera in order to rapidly screen environmental samples for potentially toxic species.

Microtubule-stabilizing activity of zampanolide, a potent macrolide isolated from the Tongan marine sponge Cacospongia mycofijiensis.

Zampanolide (1), a 20-membered macrolide from a Tongan marine sponge, stabilizes microtubules and blocks cells in G(2)/M of the cell cycle. Zampanolide is cytotoxic in the low nanomolar range and induces microtubule bundles in cells. It leads to tubulin assembly in cells and in purified tubulin preparations and is not a substrate for the P-glycoprotein drug efflux pump.