Toxin found in Lake , dead alligators

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http://www.news-journalonline.com/2002/Mar/22/ENV1.htm

Friday, March 22, 2002

Toxin found in Lake , dead alligators

News-Journal wire services

TAVARES -- An algae researcher from Ohio has confirmed the presence of a

neurotoxin in Lake 's and in the bodies of dead alligators.

Dr. Wayne Carmichael, of State University, found that the harmful

blue-green algae called cylindrospermopsis is known to produce not only a

liver toxin but Anatoxin-A, which prevents nerve impulse transmission to

muscles, causing complete paralysis.

But University of Florida crocodile specialist Perran Ross said the lake's

alligators haven't shown complete paralysis.

" Rather, they have slow and discoordinated muscles, " he said.

However, its still not known whether this is the culprit that has killed 380

adult alligators on the algae-infested lake in four years.

The toxin doesn't cause brain lesions, which is thought to have been a

contributing factor in deaths. " Our conclusion is that we still can't

establish a direct link between the toxic algae in the lake and what's

happening to the alligators, " Ross said.

Ross made his presentation to the Lake County Water Authority on Wednesday.

With this information in hand, the authority approved a request by Ross for

$24,362 to support continued mortality studies.

Lake , in northwestern Lake County, consists of over 460 acres of

woodlands and freshwater swamp.

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On the Net:

Lake County Water Authority: http://www.lcwa.org/

Lake State Park:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district3/lakegriffin/index.asp