Dreamfish Toxins: Implications for Health in a Warming Ocean
Ocean warming, invasive species and marine toxins threaten the ecological resilience of the Mediterranean Sea. The relationship between native herbivore fish Sarpa salpa andseagrass (P. oceanica) beds is foundational for the ecosystem and future sustainable aquaculture. However, ocean warming is linked to spreading invasive macroalgae andSiganus rivulatus rabbitfish which overgraze areas and introduce toxins. Where S. salpaand S. rivulatus interact, they are called “Dreamfish” because eating them can cause hallucinations or nightmares. This project will identify the dietary origin of Dreamfishtoxicity, and examine the impact of toxin-mediated interactions on seagrass ecology and conservation. Combining expertise in chemical ecology (Stanford) and marine ecology/conservation (University of Corsica), we establish a partnership for long term monitoring and inquiry into alien biomolecules. This project is a promising and urgently needed approach for safeguarding human and ecological health in the context of climate change.