Gambierdiscus lapillus is a toxic dinoflagellate species inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and has been linked to Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), a foodborne illness caused by the accumulation of ciguatoxins in reef fish.
The Small Subunit Ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene is a highly conserved region of ribosomal DNA found in all living organisms. This makes it a valuable genetic marker for studying evolutionary relationships between species, including dinoflagellates like G. lapillus. The SSU rRNA gene, along with the Large Subunit Ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) D8-D10 and ITS regions, have been widely used in phylogenetic studies and species identification of Gambierdiscus species. While the SSU region shows a slower substitution rate within species and a faster rate among genera, the D8-D10 LSU region is often considered more suitable for identifying Gambierdiscus species due to its higher variability at the species level.
