First identification of the cylindrospermopsin‐producing cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in New Zealand

Abstract

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a planktonic freshwater cyanobacterium that is becoming increasingly prevalent in water bodies worldwide. During a survey of toxic cyanobacteria in New Zealand, C. raciborskii was identified in a sample collected from Lake Waahi (Waikato). This is the first identification of this species in New Zealand. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry were used to confirm the presence of the cyanotoxins cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and deoxy‐cylindrospermopsin (do‐CYN). Detection of CYN and do‐CYN demonstrates that C. raciborskii is a now a species of concern in recreational, stock drinking, and potable water supplies in New Zealand.

Keywords:

• Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
• cylindrospermopsin
• deoxy‐cylindrospermopsin
• cyanobacteria
• cyanotoxin
• New Zealand