Pfeisteria

Pfeisteria

Toxicology A dinoflagellate–alga of rivers & estuaries of southeastern US associated with red & brown tides; it produces a potent–1000-fold more powerful than cyanide–neurotoxin; it is lethal to aquatic life, ranging from eelgrass and other underwater vegetation to vertebrates–eg, menhaden and manatees; in humans, the toxin causes confusion, wasting, crippling, oozing red sores