HIGH-CONCENTRATIONS OF NEUROTOXIN IN FREE-LIVING MARINE NEMATODES

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