Prymnesium parvum
Species of single-celled organism / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Prymnesium parvum is a species of haptophyte (also collectively called Prymnesiophyta). The species is of concern because of its ability to produce the phycotoxin prymnesin. It is a flagellated alga that is normally found suspended in the water column. It was first identified in North America in 1985, but it is not known if it was introduced artificially (e.g., an invasive species) or missed in previous surveys. Toxin production mainly kills fish and appears to have little effect on cattle or humans. This distinguishes it from a red tide, which is an algal bloom whose toxins lead to harmful effects in people. Although no harmful effects are known, it is recommended not to consume dead or dying fish exposed to a P. parvum bloom.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
Prymnesium parvum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Phylum: | Haptista |
Subphylum: | Haptophytina |
Class: | Prymnesiophyceae |
Order: | Prymnesiales |
Family: | Prymnesiaceae |
Genus: | Prymnesium |
Species: | P. parvum |
Binomial name | |
Prymnesium parvum N. Carter | |
Prymnesium parvum of Haptophyta is sometimes classified as a golden alga or a golden brown alga, as is Chrysophyceae of Heterokontophyta, but the taxonomy of algae is under complex revision, leading to contradictions in terms, especially in non-scholarly texts (such as those from state wildlife departments).