Toxin uncouples communication between muscle and nerve. Prorocentrum lima diarrheic okadaic acid Common in Asia. Newly described organism responsible for fish kills in mid-Atlantic estuaries. Complex ambush predator life cycle. Reports from fishermen and swimmers complaining of rashes, respiratory problems and neurological phenomenon and massive fish kills in North Carolina estuaries and the Chesapeake Bay during the late 1980's and early 1990's led to the identification of this previously undescribed dinoflagellate.
Culture filtrates induce open ulcerative sores, hemorrhaging and death in finfish and shellfish.
Pfiesteria produces at least two toxins. The other is a lipophilic compound which causes the epidermis of the fish to slough off. These toxins likely play a role in the ambush-predator life style of Pfiesteria . These trophic forms forms reproduce asexually and are capable of encysting. Pfiesteria becomes toxic if fish linger in the area.