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h akashiwo

h akashiwo

Species: Heterosigma akashiwo | Raphidophyte

HAB

Order: Chattonellales

Family: Chattonellaceae

Description: Small golden-brown bi-flagellated cells often found in clusters. Blooms can develop from resting cysts. H. akashiwo blooms can be dangerous to fish, and are responsible for massive fish mortality events in both wild and farmed fish populations. An unidentified toxin can be produced during blooms, though the mechanism for mortality events is poorly understood. Blooms and bloom toxicity are strongly correlated to water temperature and salinity. Blooms can form from cysts once bottom temperatures reach 15°C.

Cell Size: Length 10-15um

Distribution: Coastal regions worldwide

 
This Phytoplankton Identification page is affiliated with Cal-PReEMPT, CeNCOOS, and HABMAP, and is maintained by the Kudela Lab at the University of California Santa Cruz. Details about site history, funding, and sources of information and images can be found here.