The First Appearance of Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae) Responsible for the PSP Contaminations in Gamak Bay, Korea

In Gamak Bay, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) was first detected from seafoods in 2003, however the toxin source is unknown yet. In this study, we report potential PSP producers of toxic dinoflagellates, describing morphology and abundance of cysts isolated from surface sediment of Gamak Bay. The most abundant type in these cysts was characterized with ellipsoidal and transparent wall identical to Alexandrium catenella and/or A. tamarense. Germination experiment of the cysts revealed that all motile cells germinated were morphologically identified as A. tamarense. This result suggests that A. tamarense may relate to PSP contaminations in Gamak Bay. Moreover, bottom water temperature in Gamak Bay is favorable for germination of A. tamarense cysts. Further studies are required to carry out the PSP monitoring for preventing the risk of PSP events that may outbreak in future at Gamak Bay.