Alexandrium (dinoflagellate)

Alexandrium
Alexandrium minutum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Myzozoa
Superclass: Dinoflagellata
Class: Dinophyceae
Order: Gonyaulacales
Family: Ostreopsidaceae
Genus: Alexandrium
Halim, 1960
Species

Alexandrium is a genus of dinoflagellates. It contains some of the dinoflagellate species most harmful to humans, because it produces toxic harmful algal blooms (HAB) that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans. There are about 30 species of Alexandrium that form a clade, defined primarily on morphological characters in their thecal plates.[1]

  1. ^ Murray, S.A., John, Uwe., Kremp, Anke. (2015): Alexandrium spp: genetic and ecological factors influencing saxitoxin production and proliferation. Climate Change and Marine and Freshwater Toxins. 123–139.