The First Appearance of Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae) Responsible for the PSP Contamination in Gamak Bay, Korea

Abstract

In Gamak Bay, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) was first detected from seafoods in 2003, however the toxin source is unknown yet. In this study, we report potential PSP producers of toxic dinoflagellates and describe the morphological characteristics and abundance of the cysts isolated from surface sediment of Gamak Bay. The most abundant type was characterized with ellipsoidal and transparent wall identical to Alexandrium catenella and/or A.tamarense. Germination experiment of the cysts revealed that A. tamarense may be related to PSP contamination in Gamak Bay. Moreover, bottom water temperature in Gamak Bay is favorable for germination of A. tamarense cysts. Further studies are required to carry out the PSP monitoring for preventing the risk of PSP events that may outbreak in future at Gamak Bay.