Karenia (dinoflagellate)

Karenia
Karenia brevis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Myzozoa
Superclass: Dinoflagellata
Class: Dinophyceae
Order: Gymnodiniales
Family: Kareniaceae
Genus: Karenia
Gert Hansen & Moestrup
Type species
Karenia brevis
(C.C.Davis) Gert Hansen & Moestrup

Karenia is a genus that consists of unicellular, photosynthetic, planktonic organisms found in marine environments.[1] The genus currently consists of 12 described species.[1] They are best known for their dense toxic algal blooms and red tides that cause considerable ecological and economical damage; some Karenia species cause severe animal mortality.[1] One species, Karenia brevis, is known to cause respiratory distress and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) in humans.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Brand, Larry E.; Campbell, Lisa; Bresnan, Eileen (2012). "Karenia: The biology and ecology of a toxic genus". Harmful Algae. 14: 156–178. doi:10.1016/j.hal.2011.10.020. PMC 9891709. PMID 36733478.