AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Alexandrium minutum [WoRMS] | |
Authority | Halim, 1960 | |
Family | Ostreopsidaceae | |
Order | Gonyaulacales | |
Class | Dinophyceae | |
Phylum | Myzozoa | |
Synonym (?) | Alexandrium angustitabulatum (Taylor FJR in Balech, 1995) Alexandrium ibericum (Balech, 1985) Alexandrium lusitanicum (Balech, 1985) Pyrodinum minutum (Halim) Taylor, 1976) |
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Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Not entered Comments: SW Pacific, Atlantic |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
Comments: A. minutum is a photosynthetic dinoflagellate that, like many species in its genus, is responsible for outbreaks of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Balech E (1989) Redescription of Alexandrium minutum Halim (Dinophyceae) type species of the genus Alexandrium. Phycologia, Volume 28(2) Hwang DF, Tsai YH, Liao HJ, Matsuoka K, Noguchi T, Jeng S S (1999) Toxins of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum Halim from the coastal waters and aquaculture ponds in southern Taiwan. Fish. Sci. Volume 65: 171-172 Comments: A. minutum is a photosynthetic species with an elliptical nucleus. Cells of A. minutum are small, nearly spherical to ellipsoidal, somewhat dorsoventrally flattened and occasionally longer than wide. Cells are single with a characteristic ventral pore on the first apical plate. Thecal plates thin. Thecal surface ornamentation can vary from light to heavy reticulation (mostly confined to the hypotheca) with small scattered pores. Intercalary bands are present. Large range in size in this species: between 15-30µm in length and 13-24µm in trans diameter width |
Reproductive frequency (?) | Not entered |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Bolch CJ, Blackburn SI, Cannon JA, Hallegraeff GM, 1991. The resting cyst of the red-tide dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae). Phycologia, 30(2):215-219. Comments: A. minutum has a typical, sexual dinoflagellate life cycle with a resting cyst capable of persisting in sediments for many years |
Developmental trait (?) | Resting stages References: Bolch CJ, Blackburn SI, Cannon JA, Hallegraeff GM, 1991. The resting cyst of the red-tide dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae). Phycologia, 30(2):215-219. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
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Mobility / Life stage (?) |
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Salinity tolerance range (?) | Exact range: 12 - 37 References: Grzebyk, D., Béchemin, C., Ward, C. J., Vérité, C., Codd, G. A., Maestrini, S. Y. 2003. Effects of salinity and two coastal waters on the growth and toxin content of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum. Journal of Plankton Research, 25(10), pp. 1185–1199. Comments: A. minutum is euryhaline, capable of growing in salinities from 12 to 37 psu. Exponential growth rates were close to the maximum rate at salinities >20 psu. Its capacity to survive at low salinities, down to 10 psu, explains the organism’s ability to withstand the mixing of coastal and river waters in estuaries (Grzebyk et al., 2003). |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Not entered |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) |
Comments: This phytoplankton species can also form extremely dense blooms that have the capacity to kill finfish, in addition to their PSP toxin production. As this species forms a tough resting cyst, it is easily transport by ballast water and in translocated shellfish, and it has been reported from most continents and every ocean. Control appears to be impossible. |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Not entered |
Known human health impact? | Known References: Galasso, C., Nuzzo, G., Brunet, C., Ianora, A., Sardo, A., Fontana, A., Sansone, C. 2018. The Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum Activates a Mitophagic Pathway in Human Lung Cancer Cells. Marine Drugs, 16, 502. Comments: The toxic dinoflagellate A. minutum as source of water-soluble compounds with antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cells (Galasso et al., 2018). |
Known economic impact? | Known References: Valbi, E., Ricci, F., Casabianca, S., Scardi, M., Penna, A. 2019. A model predicting the PSP toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum occurrence in the coastal waters of the NW Adriatic Sea. Scientific Reports, 9, 4166. Comments: A. minutum, can produce neurotoxins. Toxic blooms can cause serious impacts to human health, marine environment and economic maritime activities at coastal sites (Valbi et al., 2019). |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Known References: Galasso, C., Nuzzo, G., Brunet, C., Ianora, A., Sardo, A., Fontana, A., Sansone, C. 2018. The Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum Activates a Mitophagic Pathway in Human Lung Cancer Cells. Marine Drugs, 16, 502. Caruana, A.M.N., Le Gac, M., Hervé, F., Rovillon, G.-A., Geffroy, S., Malo, F., Abadie, E., & Amzil, Z., 2020. Alexandrium pacificum and Alexandrium minutum: Harmful or environmentally friendly? Marine Environmental Research, 160, p.105014. Comments: A. minutum, known for toxin production affecting bivalves (Galasso et al, 2018). A. minutum have a beneficial impact on the environment by producing dimethylsulfoniopropionate-DMSP, the precursor of dimethylsulfur-DMS and sulfate aerosols involved in climate balance (Caruana et al., 2020). |
Included in the Target Species list? | No References: HELCOM, 2009. Alien Species and Ballast Water [PDF]. Available at: (https://archive.iwlearn.net/helcom.fi/stc/files/shipping/Table_2_Alienspecies_%20lists_2009.pdf) |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Not entered |
Last update by | Sandra Gečaitė, 2024-07-02 |