ABSTRACT: High concentrations of sodium channel blockers (SCB) in free-living nematodes-Symplocostoma sp., Mesacanthion sp., Metachromadora sp. and a mixed population of other species-were confirmed using a tissue culture bioassay. These neurotoxins included tetrodotoxin (TTX) or related toxins as determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations of SCB in nematodes were comparable to those of TTX in puffer fish, which suggests that nematodes play an important role in the accumulation and transfer of TTX or related toxins in marine environments.

KEY WORDS: Sodium channel blocker . Nematode . Tetrodotoxin

Published in MEPS Vol. 136 (1996) on June 6
ISSN: 0171-8630. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1996