Fish kills linked to a toxic ambush-predator dinoflagellate: distribution and environmental conditions

Abstract

Pfiesteria piscicida gen. et sp. nov. was lethal to all 10 species of native and exotic finfish and shellfish bioassayed in culture: thus far in field and aquaculture kills linked to the dinoflagellate, 13 additional fish species have been affected. Field data in combination with confirming laboratory bioassays documented toxicity at temperatures ranging from 12 to 33°C, with most outbreaks occurring at 26°C or higher. P. piscicida also exhibits wide salinity tolerance. P. piscicida was implicated as the causative agent of 52±7% of the major fish kills on an annual basis in N Carolina estuaries and coastal waters. -from Authors