Pfiesteria shumwayae

Taxobox | color = khaki
name = "Pfiesteria shumwayae"


image_size = 200 px
image_caption = "Pfiesteria shumwayae" SEM micrograph
regnum = Protista
phylum = Dinoflagellata
classis = Dinophyceae
ordo = Phytodiniales
familia = Pfiesteriaceae
genus = "Pfiesteria"
species = "P. shumwayae"
binomial = "Pfiesteria shumwayae"
binomial_authority = Glasgow & Burkholder

"Pfiesteria shumwayae" is a heterotrophic dinoflagellate species in the genus "Pfiesteria". It was first characterized in North Carolina in 2000.cite web |url=http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/00_03/60.htm |title=NC State News Release, March 10, 2000: NC State Scientists Confirm Second Toxic "Pfiesteria" Species |accessdate=2008-01-06 |format= |work=] It can acquire the ability for photosynthesis through eating green algae and retaining their chloroplasts. It can also turn predatory and toxic strains of "Pfiesteria shumwayae" have been implicated in fish kills around the US east coast. "Pfiesteria shumwayae" has been described as having a less complex life cycle than "Pfiesteria piscicida".cite journal |author=Burkholder JM, Glasgow HB, Deamer-Melia NJ, "et al" |title=Species of the toxic Pfiesteria complex, and the importance of functional type in data interpretation |journal=Environ. Health Perspect. |volume=109 Suppl 5 |issue= |pages=667–79 |year=2001 |pmid=11677174 |doi=10.2307/3454912]

Toxicity

While toxic strains of "Pfiesteria shumwayae" have been implicated in fish kills, its ability to secrete an exotoxin to kill its prey has been subject to controversy.cite journal |author=Miller TR, Belas R |title=Pfiesteria piscicida, P. shumwayae, and other Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates |journal=Res. Microbiol. |volume=154 |issue=2 |pages=85–90 |year=2003 |pmid=12648722 |doi=10.1016/S0923-2508(03)00027-5] A study published in 2002 has shown that it is capable of killing fish by direct contact and feeding on their skin through micropredation.cite journal |author=Vogelbein WK, Lovko VJ, Shields JD, "et al" |title=Pfiesteria shumwayae kills fish by micropredation not exotoxin secretion |journal=Nature |volume=418 |issue=6901 |pages=967–70 |year=2002 |pmid=12198545 |doi=10.1038/nature01008] Toxicity levels appear to depend on the strains and assays used in the laboratory.cite journal |author=Burkholder JM, Gordon AS, Moeller PD, "et al" |title=Demonstration of toxicity to fish and to mammalian cells by Pfiesteria species: comparison of assay methods and strains |journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. |volume=102 |issue=9 |pages=3471–6 |year=2005 |pmid=15728353 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0500168102] "Pfiesteria shumwayae" toxin present in filtered water can cause cognitive deficits in rats.cite journal |author=Duncan PM, Parris B, Schultz S, "et al" |title=Behavioral effects and drug vulnerability in rats exposed to Pfiesteria toxin |journal=Neurotoxicol Teratol |volume=27 |issue=5 |pages=701–10 |year=2005 |pmid=16198085 |doi=10.1016/j.ntt.2005.06.008]

Occurrence

"Pfiesteria" has a worldwide distribution and is typically found in estuaries and coastal habitats. It is usually benign unless it "blooms" to a high concentration. High concentrations of "Pfiesteria shumwayae" have been found in the following locations:

*Taskinas Creek, a tributary of the York River in James City County, Virginia, in March 2005.cite web |url=http://www.cbf.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr001=a5wpva5ly1.app26a&page=NewsArticle&id=10617&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=1081 |title=Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Save the Bay: High Concentrations of Pfiesteria Underscore Need to Reduce Pollution |accessdate=2008-01-06 |format= |work=]

References