Protogonyaulax dinoflagellates

It is obvious that there is great potential for a successful commercial clam fishery in Alaska - if several problems can be resolved. First and foremost are the problems associated with PSP, caused by the presence of toxic metabolites produced by dinoflagellates of the genus Protogonyaulax ( ). 

Toxic Dinoflagellates Taxonomic and Biogeographic Aspects with Emphasis on Protogonyaulax... 

The saxitoxins from dinoflagellates of the genus Protogonyaulax may accumulate in shellfish and, being potent neurotoxins, pose a serious threat to public health. Six of the saxitoxins are sulfamates which have relatively low toxicity, but are easily hydrolyzed to the respective carbamates with corresponding increases in potency. This paper presents some of the chemistry and public health implications of these toxins. 

Gosselin, S., Fortier, L., and Gagne, J. A., Vulnerability of marine fish larvae to the toxic dinoflagellate Protogonyaulax tamarensis, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 57, 1, 1989. 

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