What toxins does alexandrium produce?
The dinoflagellate produces saxitoxin, which is a highly potent neurotoxin. If consumed, this toxin can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). By ingesting saxitoxin, humans can suffer from numbness, ataxia, incoherence, and in extreme cases respiratory paralysis and death.
Where do alexandrium Fundyense come from?
Alexandrium fundyense grows primarily in low-salinity, marine environments during the spring and summer months. The highest concentrations of Alexandrium cells are generally seen near the surface waters of the Gulf of Maine.
What is the scientific name for alexandrium Catenella?
Alexandrium catenella
Alexandrium catenella/Scientific names
Where does saxitoxin come from?
Saxitoxin is produced by the dinoflagellates Gonyaulax, Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, and Pyrodinium. Similar to tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin binds to voltage-gated sodium channels within cell membranes, inhibiting membrane depolarization and blocking proliferation of action potentials.
Is Ceratium a phytoplankton?
However, these marine species have now been assigned to a new genus called Tripos. Ceratium dinoflagellates are characterized by their armored plates, two flagella, and horns. They are found worldwide and are of concern due to their blooms….
| Ceratium | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Gonyaulacales |
| Family: | Ceratiaceae |
| Genus: | Ceratium |
| Species |
What eats alexandrium Catenella?
Mussels, clams and oysters feed on these dinoflagellates or red algae with which they may be associated and thus become toxic. The carnivorous fish that feed on these organisms will also become toxic.
What kingdom is alexandrium Fundyense?
| Alexandrium fundyense | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| (unranked): | SAR |
| (unranked): | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Dinoflagellata |
What does Karenia brevis need to grow?
brevis, like all algae, requires three things to grow and survive: Optimal light. Temperature. Nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus.
What is the shape of Alexandrium Catenella?
Spherical
Alexandrium catenella
| Classification | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Spherical |
| Size | Length 20 – 48 μm, width 18 – 34 μm |
| Colour | Yellow-green to orange-brown |
| Connection | Forms chains of 2, 4 or 8 cells |
How do you prevent saxitoxin?
To avoid Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, members of the public are advised to observe the following:
- Buy shellfish from reliable and licensed seafood shops;
- Remove the viscera, gonads and roe before cooking;
- Eat a smaller amount of shellfish in any one meal and avoid consuming the cooking liquid;
What produces microcystin?
Microcystins (MCs) are a family of chemically stable cyclic peptide toxins produced by several genera of aquatic cyanobacteria including Microcytis, Anabaena, Planktothrix (Oscillatoria), Hapalosiphon and Nostoc [1].
Is Ceratium harmful to humans?
Hi Imad, Ceratium (now reclassified as Tripos) is not thought to be toxic but there are papers where it has been the dominant genus in the phytoplankton & caused mass mortality of marine organisms through organic enrichment leading to anoxia as dead cells sink and accumulate.
What kind of poison does Alexandrium catenella produce?
Alexandrium catenella. Alexandrium catenella is a species of dinoflagellates. It is among the group of Alexandrium species that produce toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, and is a cause of red tide.
What is the binomial name for Alexandrium catenella?
Binomial name. Alexandrium catenella. Alexandrium catenella is a species of dinoflagellates. It is among the group of Alexandrium species that produce toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, and is a cause of red tide.
Is the Alexandrium catenella A cause of red tide?
Alexandrium catenella is a species of dinoflagellates. It is among the group of Alexandrium species that produce toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, and is a cause of red tide.
Is the Alexandrium catenella A male or female dinoflagellate?
Alexandrium catenella is a marine photosynthetic dinoflagellate (Olenina and Olenin 2006). This species has both sexual and asexual cycles of reproduction. It reproduces sexually with opposite mating types Close