Question

Are dinoflagellates dangerous?

Answer 1

Dinoflagellates:

1. Single-celled, eukaryotic protists.
2. Mostly marine planktons.
3. However, can also be found in freshwater.
4. They have characteristics of both animals and plants.
5. Mode of nutrition- autotrophic as well as heterotrophic(get nutrients by phagocytosis), parasitic, and also symbiont (with red algae).
6. They are known to cause red tides.
7. Such blooms are known to cause shellfish poisoning by releasing a neurotoxin that kills the fishes.
8. Therefore, they are also known as HAB (harmful algal bloom).
9. Example- Brevitoxin by Karenia brevis (causes red tide in Gulf of Mexico), Pfiesteria(colorless) also causes toxic blooms.
10. Therefore, some dinoflagellates are harmful.