Didymosphenia geminata

Didymosphenia geminata, commonly known as didymo or rock snot, is a species of diatom that grows in warm and shallow water. If it overgrows, it can form large mats on the bottom of lakes, rivers and streams. It is not considered a significant human health risk, but it can affect stream habitats and sources of food for fish and make recreational activities unpleasant. It is considered a nuisance organism. The microscopic algae can be spread in a single drop of water.

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Cell biology

Didymosphenia geminata is a diatom, which is a type of single-celled algae unique for their silica (SiO₂) cell walls. The life history of diatoms includes both vegetative and sexual reproduction, though the sexual stage is not yet documented in this species. Although it is symmetric only along the apical axis, typical of gomphonemoid diatoms, it is a cymbelloid, which are typically symmetric along both primary axes. Cells contain a raphe, which allows them to move on surfaces, and an apical porefield, through which a mucopolysaccharide stalk is secreted.

The stalk can attach to rocks, plants, or other submerged surfaces. When the diatom cell divides, through vegetative reproduction, the stalk divides too, eventually forming a mass of branching stalks. The nuisance build-up is not the cell itself, but their massive production of extracellular stalks. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that form the stalks are made primarily of polysaccarides and protein, forming complex, multi-layered structures that are resistant to degradation.^[1]

Native Range

The native distribution of D. geminata is the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including the rivers of northern forests and alpine regions of Europe, Asia and parts of North America. Until its recent discovery in New Zealand, where it was introduced, it was never previously found in the Southern Hemisphere. The distribution of didymo in the last two decades appears to be gradually expanding outside its native range. Even within its native range, there have been reports of excessive growths in areas where it previously existed only in low concentrations.^[2]

In New Zealand

In 2004 didymo was discovered in New Zealand, the first time it was found in the southern hemisphere. To restrict its spread, the whole of the South Island of New Zealand was declared a controlled area in December 2005. All items, such as boats, fishing gear, clothing, and vehicles, that have been in a stream, river or lake, must be cleaned before they enter another waterway. Biosecurity New Zealand working with Environment Southland, AgriQuality and Fish and Game launched an extensive public awareness campaign to encourage river users to clean their equipment after use in affected waterways. This campaign was highly successful, with up to a 90% decrease in use of affected rivers.

As of October 2005, further populations of didymo were discovered in the Hawea, Buller, Oreti and Upper Clutha rivers. Delimiting testing is being undertaken in North Island waterways and other South Island river systems to find out how far didymo has spread in New Zealand.

In addition, as of October 31 2007, dead didymo cells have been found in routine water samples from the Whanganui, Tongariro, Whakapapa, and Mangatepopo rivers in the central North Island, with MAF suspecting further contamination.^[3]

In the United States

Tennessee: Didymo was found in the tailwaters of the Norris, Cherokee, Wilbur and South Holston hydroelectric dams in 2005. It is the first US finding east of the Mississippi River.^[5]

South Dakota: It has been present in Rapid Creek in South Dakota since at least 2005, and is blamed for a significant decline in the brown trout population. It is also present to lesser extents in other nearby locations.^[6]

Vermont: In June 2007 didymo was discovered in the Connecticut River, near Bloomfield, Vermont, its first recorded discovery in the northeastern United States. The sighting was reported by a fishing guide and confirmed by Dr. Sarah Spaulding, a didymo expert from Denver, Colorado.^[7]

In New England

In August, 2007, didymo appeared in New England, (in the White River, Connecticut River and the Batten Kill; Quebec, in Matapedia River in the lower St. Lawrence). It appears in pristine rivers alarming fishermen and wildlife biologists. ^[8]

Preventing the spread

The following methods have been recommended to prevent the spread of didymo:

Check: Before leaving the river, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find clumps later don't wash them down the drain, treat them with the approved methods below, dry them and put them in a rubbish bin.

Clean: Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot (60°C) water, a 2% solution of household bleach or a 5% solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent.

Dry: If cleaning is not practical (e.g. livestock, pets), after the item is completely dry wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.

References