Investigating Non-Native Ribbon Worm Cephalothrix simula as a Potential Source of Tetrodotoxin in British Bivalve Shellfish

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin found in several phylogenetically diverse organisms, some of which are sought as seafood. Since 2015, TTX has been reported in bivalve shellfish from several estuarine locations along the Mediterranean and European Atlantic coasts, posing an emerging food safety concern. Although reports on spatial and temporal distribution have increased in recent years, processes leading to TTX accumulation in European bivalves are yet to be described. Here, we explored the hypothesis that the ribbon worm species <i>Cephalothrix simula</i>, known to contain high levels of TTX, could play a role in the trophic transfer of the toxin into shellfish. During a field study at a single location in southern England, we confirmed <i>C. simula</i> DNA in seawater adjacent to trestle-farmed Pacific oysters <i>Magallana gigas</i> (formerly <i>Crassostrea gigas</i>) with a history of TTX occurrence. <i>C. simula</i> DNA in seawater was significantly higher in June and July during the active phase of toxin accumulation compared to periods of either no or continually decreasing TTX concentrations in <i>M. gigas</i>. In addition, <i>C. simula</i> DNA was detected in oyster digestive glands collected on 15 June 2021, the day with the highest recorded <i>C. simula</i> DNA abundance in seawater. These findings show evidence of a relationship between <i>C. simula</i> and TTX occurrence, providing support for the hypothesis that bivalves may acquire TTX through filter-feeding on microscopic life forms of <i>C. simula</i> present in the water column at particular periods each year. Although further evidence is needed to confirm such feeding activity, this study significantly contributes to discussions about the biological source of TTX in European bivalve shellfish.