Gambierdiscus toxicus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Myzozoa |
Superclass: | Dinoflagellata |
Class: | Dinophyceae |
Order: | Gonyaulacales |
Family: | Ostreopsidaceae |
Genus: | Gambierdiscus |
Species: | G. toxicus
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Binomial name | |
Gambierdiscus toxicus R.Adachi & Y.Fukuyo, 1979
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Gambierdiscus toxicus is a species of photosynthetic unicellular eukaryote belonging to the Alveolata, part of the SAR supergroup. It is a dinoflagellate which can cause the foodborne illness ciguatera,[1] and is known to produce several natural polyethers including ciguatoxin, maitotoxin, gambieric acid, and gambierol.[2][3] The species was discovered attached to the surface of brown macroalgae.[2]