This toxin is produced naturally by marine diatoms belonging to the genus Pseudo-nitzschia and the species Nitzschia navis-varingica.[2] When accumulated in high concentrations by shellfish during filter feeding, domoic acid can then be passed on to birds, marine mammals, and humans by consumption of the contaminated shellfish.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Although human illness due to domoic acid has only been associated with shellfish, the toxin can bioaccumulate in many marine organisms that consume phytoplankton, such as anchovies and sardines. Intoxication by domoic acid in nonhuman organisms is frequently referred to as domoic acid poisoning.
^Clark, R. F.; Williams, S. R.; Nordt, S. P.; Manoguerra, A. S. (1999). "A Review of Selected Seafood Poisonings". Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. 26 (3): 175–184. PMID10485519. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2008-08-13.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Bates, S. S.; Trainer, V. L. (2006). "The Ecology of Harmful Diatoms". In Granéli, E.; Turner, J. (eds.). Ecology of Harmful Algae. Ecological Studies. Vol. 189. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. pp. 81–93. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-32210-8_7. ISBN978-3-540-74009-4.
^Trainer, V. L.; Hickey, B. M.; Bates, S. S. (2008). "Toxic Diatoms". In Walsh, P. J.; Smith, S. L.; Fleming, L. E.; Solo-Gabriele, H.; Gerwick, W. H. (eds.). Oceans and Human Health: Risks and Remedies from the Sea. New York: Elsevier Science. pp. 219–237. ISBN978-0-12-372584-4.
^Bargu, S.; Smith, E.; Ozhan, K. (2011). "Toxic Diatom Pseudo-nitzschia and its Primary Consumers (Vectors)". In Seckbach, J.; Kociolek, P. (eds.). The Diatom World. Springer. pp. 493–512. ISBN978-9400713260.
^Bargu, S.; Goldstein, T.; Roberts, K.; Li, C.; Gulland, F. (2012). "Pseudo-nitzschia Blooms, Domoic Acid, and Related California Sea Lion Strandings in Monterey Bay, California". Marine Mammal Science. 28 (2): 237–253. Bibcode:2012MMamS..28..237B. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00480.x.
^Lelong, A.; Hégaret, H.; Soudant, P.; Bates, S. S. (2012). "Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) Species, Domoic Acid and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning: Revisiting Previous Paradigms". Phycologia. 51 (2): 168–216. Bibcode:2012Phyco..51..168L. doi:10.2216/11-37.1. S2CID55094773.
^Trainer, V. L.; Bates, S. S.; Lundholm, N.; Thessen, A. E.; Cochlan, W. P.; Adams, N. G.; Trick, C. G. (2012). "Pseudo-nitzschia Physiological Ecology, Phylogeny, Toxicity, Monitoring and Impacts on Ecosystem Health". Harmful Algae. 14: 271–300. Bibcode:2012HAlga..14..271T. doi:10.1016/j.hal.2011.10.025. hdl:1912/5118.