COMPARISON OF 2 DOMOIC ACID-PRODUCING DIATOMS - A REVIEW

In the past five years, awareness of domoic acid has increased from lo calized problems in Canada to outbreaks along both North American coas ts. The phycotoxin domoic acid causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP ) in humans and can be fatal. The known species of phytoplankton respo nsible for production of domoic acid include some pennate diatom speci es of the genus Nitzschia, sensu latu, which form stepped chains typic al of the Pseudonitzschia. These diatoms are widely distributed, but t heir life histories and population dynamics are poorly understood. Thi s review addresses histories of occurrences, morphology, geographical distributions, seasonal patterns, growth requirements, domoic acid pro duction, and trophic interactions, with emphasis on a comparison of Ps eudonitzschia pungens f. multiseries (Hasle) Hasle and Pseudonitzschia australis Frenguelli. Through continued research it will become possi ble to provide guidelines for regulatory agencies that protect both th e consumer and the seafood industry.