Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of two domoic acid-producing diatoms: a review

  • Toxic diatoms
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the past five years, awareness of domoic acid has increased from localized problems in Canada to outbreaks along both North American coasts. The phycotoxin domoic acid causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) in humans and can be fatal. The known species of phytoplankton responsible for production of domoic acid include some pennate diatom species of the genus Nitzschia, sensu latu, which form stepped chains typical of the Pseudonitzschia. These diatoms are widely distributed, but their life histories and population dynamics are poorly understood. This review addresses histories of occurrences, morphology, geographical distributions, seasonal patterns, growth requirements, domoic acid production, and trophic interactions, with emphasis on a comparison of Pseudonitzschia pungens f. multiseries (Hasle) Hasle and Pseudonitzschia australis Frenguelli. Through continued research it will become possible to provide guidelines for regulatory agencies that protect both the consumer and the seafood industry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Addison, R. F. & J. E. Stewart, 1989. Domoic acid and the eastern Canadian molluscan shellfish industry. Aquaculture 77: 263–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, D. H., 1992. The Fifth International Conference on Toxic Marine Phytoplankton: a personal perspective. Harmful Algae News 62: 6–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous, 1991. Domoic acid found in Oregon and Washington shellfish. Communicable Diseases Summary, Oregon Health Division, Portland. 40: 1–2.

  • Avaria, S. & P. Mufloz, 1987. Effects of the 1982–1983 El Niho on the marine phytoplankton off northern Chile. J. Geophys. Res. 92: 14369–14382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, S. S., C. J. Bird, R. K. Boyd, A. S. W. de Freitas, M. Falk et al., 1988. Investigations on the source of domoic acid responsible for the outbreak of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) in eastern Prince Edward Island. Atlantic Res. Lab. Tec. Rep. NRCC 29086: 59 pp.

  • Bates, S. S., C. J. Bird, A. S. W. de Freitas, R. Foxall, M. W. Gilgan et al., 1989. Pennate diatom Nitzschia pungens as the primary source of domoic acid, a toxin in shellfish from eastern Prince Edward Island, Canada. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 46: 1203–1215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, S. S, A. S. W. de Freitas, R. Pocklington, M. A. Quilliam, J. C. Smith & J. Worms, 1991a. Controls on domoic acid production by the diatom Nitzschia pungens f. multiseries in culture: nutrients and irradiance. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 48: 1136–1144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, S. S., L. Bourque, P. Cormier, C. Leger, J. C. Smith & J. Worms, 1991b. Ammonium or nitrate: is there an influence on the growth and domoic acid production by the diatom Nitzschia pungens? In D. C. Gordon Jr. (ed.), Proceedings of the Second Canadian Workshop on Harmful Marine Algae. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. aquatic Sci. 1799: 5.

  • Bates, S. S., C. Léger, B. A. Keafer & D. M. Anderson, in review. Discrimination between domoic-acid-producing and non-toxic forms of the diatom Pseudonitzschia pungens using immunofluorescence. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

  • Bird, C. J., R. K. Boyd, D. Brewer, C. A. Craft, A. S. W. de Freitas et al., 1988. Identification of domoic acid as the toxin agent responsible for the P.E.I. contaminated mussel incident. Atlantic Res. Lab. Tee. Rep. 56: 86 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird, C. J. & J. L. C. Wright, 1989. The shellfish toxin domoic acid. World Aquaculture 20: 40–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolin, R. L. & D. P. Abbot, 1963. Studies on the marine climate and phytoplankton of the central coastal area of California, 1954–1960. Cal. Coop. Oceanic Inves. Rep. 9: 23–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buck, K. R., L. Uttal-Cooke, C. H. Pilskaln, D. L. Roelke, M. C. Villac, G. A. Fryxell, L. A. Cifuentes & F. P. Chavez, 1992. Autoecology of Pseudonitzschia australis Frenguelli, a suspected domoic acid producer, from Monterey Bay, California. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 84: 293–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickey, R. W., G. A. Fryxell, H. R. Granade & D. Roelke, 1992. Detection of the marine toxins okadaic acid and domoic acid in shellfish and phytoplankton in the Gulf of Mexico. Toxicon 30: 355–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, D. J. & S. S. Bates, 1992. Production of domoic acid, a neurotoxic amino acid, by an axenic culture of the marine diatom Nitzschia pungens f. multiseries Hasle. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 49: 85–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drinkwater, K. & B. Petrie, 1988. Physical oceanographic observations in the Cardigan Bay region of Prince Edward Island 1982–1987. Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr. Ocean Sci. 110: 37 pp.

  • Edelstein, T., C. J. Bird & J. McLachlan, 1974. Tetrasporangia and gametangia on the same thallus in the red alga Cystoclonium purpureum (Huds.) Batt. and Chondria baileyana (Mont.) Harv. Br. Phycol. J. 9: 247–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, J. R. & K. L. Denman, 1991. Distribution of Nitzschia pungens in coastal waters of British Columbia. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 48: 960–967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks, P. J. S. & D. M. Anderson, 1992. Alongshore transport of a toxic phytoplankton bloom in a buoyancy current: Alexandrium tamarensis in the Gulf of Main. Mar. Biol. 112: 153–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frenguelli, J., 1939. Diatomeas del Golfo de San Matias. Rev. Mus. La Plata 2: 201–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritz, L., M. A. Quilliam, J. L. C. Wright, A. M. Beale & T. M. Work, 1992. An outbreak of domoic acid poisoning attributed to the pennate diatom Pseudonitzschia australis. J. Phycol. 28: 439–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryxell G. A., 1989. Marine pytoplankton at the Weddell Sea ice edge: Seasonal Changes at the specific level. Polar Biol. 10: 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryxell, G. A., R. W. Gould, Jr & T. P. Watkins, 1984. Gelatinous colonies of the diatom Thalassiosira in Gulf Stream Warm Core Rings including T. fragilis, sp. nov.. Br. Phycol. J. 19: 141–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryxell, G. A., M. E. Reap, D. L. Valencic, 1990. Nitzschia pungens Grunow f. multiseries Hasle: Observations of a known neurotozic diatom. Nova Hedwigia 100: 171–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryxell, G. A., M. E. Reap, D. L. Roelke, L. A. Cifuentes, D. L. Valencic, 1991a. Confirmed presence of neurotoxinproducing diatom around Galveston, Texas. In F. S. Shipley & R. W. Kiesling (eds), Proceedings of the Galveston Bay Characterization Workshop: 153–154.

  • Fryxell, G. A., S. A. Garza & D. L. Roelke, 1991b. Auxospore formation in an Antarctic clone of Nitzschia subcurvata Hasle. Diatom Research 6: 235–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, D. L., S. M. Conrad, P. P. Eilers, E. M. Waldron, 1992. Confirmation of domoic acid production by Pseudonitzschia australis(Bacillariophyceae) in culture. J. Phycol. 28 (5): 604–607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilgan, M. W., B. G. Burns & G. J. Landry, 1990. Distribution and magnitude of domoic acid contamination of shellfish in Atlantic Canada during 1988. In E. Graneli, B. Sundstroem, L. Edler & D. M. Anderson (eds), Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, New York: 469–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargraves, P. E., J. Zhang, R. Wang & Y. Shimizu, 1993. Growth characteristics of the diatoms Pseudonitzschia pungens and P. fraudulenta exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Hydrobiologia 269/270: 207–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasle, G. R., 1964. Nitzschia and Fragilariopsis species studied in the light and electron microscopes. I. Some marine species of the groups Nitzschia and Lanceolatae. Skr. norske Videnskaps-Akademi i Oslo, Mat.- Naturv. Klasse. Ny Series 18. 48 pp., 16 plates.

  • Hasle, G. R., 1965. Nitzschia and Fragilariopsis species studied in the light and electron microscopes. II. The group Pseudonitzschia. Skr. norske Videnskaps-Akademi i Oslo, Mat.- Naturv. Klasse. Ny Series 18. 45 pp., 17 plates.

  • Hasle, G. R., 1993. Nomenclatural notes on marine planktonic diatoms. The family Bacillariaceae. Nova Hedwigia, Beiheft 106: 315–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasle, G. R., 1972. The distribution of Nitzschia seriata Cleve and allied species. In R. Simonsen (ed.), Proceedings of the First Symposium on Recent and Fossil Marine Diatoms. J. Cramer, Germany: 171–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haya, K., J. L. Martin, L. E. Burridge, B. A. Waiwood & D. J. Wildish, 1991. Domoic acid in shellfish and plankton from the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada. J. Shellfish Res. 10: 113–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horner, R. A. & J. R. Postel, 1993. Toxic diatoms in western Washington waters (U.S.A. west coast). Hydrobiologia 269/270: 197–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hustedt, F., 1930. Die Kieselalgen. Deutschlands, Österreichs und der Schweiz. 1. Teil. In L. Rabenhorst (ed.), Kryptogamen-Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. 7. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Leipzig: 71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Impellizzeri, G., S. Mangiafico, G. Oriente, M. Piattelli, S. Sciuto, E. Fattorusso, S. Magno, C. Santacroce & D. Sica, 1975. Constituents of red algae. I. Amino acids and low molecular-weight carbohydrates of some marine red algae. Phytochem. 14: 1549–1557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaczmarska, I., G. A. Fryxell & T. P. Watkins, 1986. Effect of two Gulf Stream warm-core rings on the distributional patterns of the diatom genus Nitzschia. Deep-Sea Res. 33: 1843–1868.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang, S. H., D. L. Roelke & G. A. Fryxell, 1993. Fragilariopsos cylindrus (Grunow) Krieger compared with other species of the diatom family Bacillariaceae in Antarctic marginal ice edge zones. Nova Hedwigia, Beiheft 106: 335–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laycock, M. V., A. S. W. de Freitas & J. L. C. Wright, 1989. Glutamate agonists from marine algae. J. Applied Phycology 1: 113–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, N. I., S. S. Bates, J. L. McLachlan & J. C. Smith, 1993. Temperature effects on growth, domoic acid production, and morphology of the diatom Nitzschia pungens f. multiseries. In T. J. Smayda & Y. Shimizu (eds), Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, New York: 601–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacPhee, D., L. A. Hanic, D. Friesen & D. Sims, 1992. Morphology of the toxin-producing diatom Nitzschia pungens Grunow f. multiseries Hasle. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 49: 303–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maeda, M. T., T. Kodama, T. Tanaka, Y. Ohfune, K. Nomoto, K. Nishimura & T. Fujita, 1984. Insecticidal and neuromuscular activities of domoic acid and its related compounds. J. Pesticide Sci. 9: 27–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maranda, L., R. Wang, K. Masuda & Y. Shimizu, 1990. Investigation of the source of domoic acid in mussels. In E. Graneli, B. Sundstrom, L. Edler & D. M. Anderson (eds), Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, New York: 300–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. L., K. Haya, L. E. Burridge & D. J. Wildish, 1990. Nitzschia pseudodelicatissima — a source of domoic acid in the Bay of Fundy, eastern Canada. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 67: 177–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nassif, J. & R. J. Timperi, 1991. A quantitative assessment of the distribution of selected marine biotoxins in mollus- can shellfish harvested from coastal Massachusetts, Nantucket Shoals and Georges Bank. Massachusetts Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Project FDA/PHS/HHS # 223–89–4064 — Interim Report, November 1989-March 1991.

  • Novaczek, I., M. S. Madhyatha, R. F. Ablett, A. Donald, G. Johnson, M. S. Nijjar & D. E. Sims, 1992. Depuration of domoic acid from live blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 49: 312–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Y., D. V. Subba Rao & R. E. Warnock, 1991. Photosynthesis and growth of Nitzschia pungens f. multiseries Hasle, a neurotoxin producing diatom. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 154: 77–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Y., D. V. Subba Rao, K. H. Mann, W. K. W. Li & R. E. Warnock, 1993. Temperature dependence of growth and carbon assimilation in Nitzschia pungens f. multiseries, the causative diatom of domoic acid poisoning. In T. J. Smayda & Y. Shimizu (eds). Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, New York: 619–624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perl, T. M., L. Bédard, T. Kosatsky, J. C. Hockin, E. C. D. Todd, L. A. McNutt & R. S. Remis, 1990. An outbreak of toxic encephalopathy caused by eating mussels contaminated with domoic acid. N. Eng J. Med. 322: 1775–1780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peragallo, H. & M. Peragallo, 1897–1908. Diatomees marines de France et des district maritimes voisins. A. Asher Co., Amsterdam (reprint 1965): 491 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phifer, L. D., 1933. Seasonal distribution and occurence of planktonic diatoms at Friday Harbor, Washington. University of Washington Publications in Oceanography 1: 39–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reap, M. E., 1991. Nitzschia pungens Grunow f. multiseries Hasle: growth phase and toxicity of clonal cultures isolated from Galveston, Texas. M. Sc., Texas A&M University: 77 pp.

  • Ricard, M., 1987. Atlas du phytoplankton marin. II Diatomophycées. CNRS, Paris: 297 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheuer, P. J., 1990. Some marine ecological phenomena: chemical basis and biomedical potential. Science 248: 173–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shumway, S. E., 1989. A serious threat to shellfish aquaculture. World Aquaculture 20: 65–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smayda, T. J., 1980. Phytoplankton species succession. In L. Morris (ed.), The Physiological Ecology of Phytoplankton. Blackwell, Oxford: 493–570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. C., P. Odense, R. Angus, S. S. Bates, C. J. Bird et al. 1990a. Variation in domoic acid levels in Nitzschia species: implication for monitoring programs. Bull. Aquacul. Assoc. Can. 90: 27–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. C., R. Cormier, J. Worms, C. J. Bird, M. A. Quilliam et al., 1990b. Toxic blooms of the domoic acid containing diatom Nitzschia pungens in the Cardigan River, Prince Edward Island, in 1988. In E. Graneli, B. Sundstrom, L. Edler & D. M. Anderson (eds), Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, New York: 227–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. C., K. Pauley, P. Cormier, R. Angus, P. Odense, D. O'Neil, M. A. Quilliam & J. Worms, 1991. Population dynamics and toxicity of various species of Dinophysis and Nitzschia from the southerm Gulf of St. Lawrence:' In D. C. Gordon Jr. (ed.), Proceedings of the Second Canadian Workshop on Harmful Marine Algae. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. aquatic Sci. 1799: 25.

  • Subba Rao, D. V., M. A. Quilliam & R. Pocklington, 1988. Domoic acid — a neurotoxic amino acid produced by the marine diatom Nitzschia pungens in culture. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 45: 2076–2079.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takano, H. & K. Kuroki, 1977. Some diatoms in the Section Pseudonitzschia found in coastal waters of Japan. Bull. Tokai Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 91: 41–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takemoto, T. & K. Daigo, 1958. Constituents of Chondria armata. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 6: 578–580.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, J. F. R., 1990. Red tides, brown tides and other harmful algal blooms: the view into the 1990's. In E. Graneli, B. Sundstrom, L. Edler & D. M. Anderson (eds), Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier, New York: 527–533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teitelbaum, J. S., R. J. Zatorre, S. Carpenter, D. Gendron, A. C. Evans, A. Gjedde & N. R. Cashman, 1990. Neurologic sequelae of domoic acid intoxication due to the ingestion of contaminated mussels. N. Engl. J. Med. 322: 1781–1787.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, E. C., 1990. Amnesic shellfish poisoning — a new seafood toxin syndrome. In E. Graneli, B. Sundstroem, L. Edler & D. M. Anderson (eds), Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., New York: 504–508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, D. W., J. P. Christensen, D. K. Stevenson, J. J. Graham & S. B. Chenoweth, 1987. The importance of a plume of tidally-mixed water to the biological oceanography of the Gulf of Main. J. Mar Res. 45: 699–728.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villac, M. C., G. A. Fryxell & F. P. Chavez, in review. Pseud- onitzschia australis and related species from the west coast of the U.S.A.: distribution and domic acid production. J. Shellfish Res.

  • Villareal, T. A., D. L. Roelke & G. A. Fryxell, in review. Occurrence of the toxic diatoms Nitzchia pungens f. multi- series and Nitzschia pseudodelicatissima in Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, U.S.A.A.. Mar. Environ. Res.

  • Wildish, D. J., J. L. Martin, A. J. Wildish & M. Ringuett, 1990. Environmental monitoring of the Bay of Fundy salmonid mariculture industry during 1988–89. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. aquat. Sci. 1760: 123 pp. Windust, A. & L. C. Wright, 1991. The effect of domoic acid and Nitzschia pungens on zooplankton: toxicity, feed- ing and uptake. In D. C. Gordon Jr. (ed.), Proceedings of the Second Canadian Workshop on Harmful Marine Algae. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. aquatic Sci. 1799: 29.

  • Wood, A. M. & L. Shapiro, 1992. Domoic acid workshop. Final report-Oregon Institute of Marine Biology: 53 pp.

  • Work, T. M., A. M. Beale, L. Fritz, M. A. Quilliam, M. Silver, K. Buck & J. L. C. Wright, 1993. Domoic acid intoxication of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in California. In T. J. Smayda & Y. Shimizu (eds), Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Toxic Marine Phytoplankton., Elsevier, New York 643–649.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, J. L. C., R. K. Boyd, A. S. W. de Freitas, M. Falk, R. A. Foxall et al., 1989. Identification of domoic acid, a neuroexcitatory amino acid, in toxic mussels from eastern Prince Edward Island. Can. J. Chem. 67: 481–490.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 77843-3146, College Station, TX, USA

    M.C. Villac, D.L. Roelke & G.A. Fryxell

  2. Environmental Sciences, Boston Harbor Campus, University of Massachusetts, 02125-3393, Boston, MA, USA

    T.A. Villareal

Authors
  1. M.C. Villac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D.L. Roelke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T.A. Villareal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G.A. Fryxell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Villac, M., Roelke, D., Villareal, T. et al. Comparison of two domoic acid-producing diatoms: a review. Hydrobiologia 269, 213–224 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028020

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028020

Key words:

Search

Navigation