What does alexandrium Catenella do?

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 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 group of plankton does alexandrium belong to?

Alexandrium is a genus of dinoflagellates. It contains some of the dinoflagellate species most harmful to humans, because it produces toxic harmful algal blooms (HAB) that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans.

What does alexandrium Catenella come from?

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. These organisms have been found in the west coast of North America, Japan, Australia, and parts of South Africa.

What causes red tide in Maine?

Gulf of Maine red tide, caused by the algae Alexandrium catenella, produces a toxin that can accumulate in shellfish, which can result in serious or even fatal illness in people who eat contaminated shellfish.

Where are algae blooms the worst?

The most well known harmful algal bloom (HAB) on the east coast is Alexandrium catenella, also known as the Gulf of Maine “red tide.” This toxic dinoflagellate produces saxitoxins that can accumulate in shellfish and cause paralytic shellfish poisoning in human consumers. It occurs from Maine to New York.

Where do alexandrium Catenella come from?

A. catenella is found in cold temperate coastal waters (Smithsonian 2012). It has been observed off the west coast of North America, Chile, Argentina, western South Africa and Japan (Smithsonian 2012).

Where is alexandrium Fundyense 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.