From editor or global species database
LSID urn:lsid:algaebase.org:taxname:52309 [details]From regional or thematic species database
Description Very small Chrysophyceae (picoplankton) measuring 1.5 to 2 microns in diameter. [details]
Distribution Initially known from The U.S. East Coast 1985-1991, but subsequently also from China 2009-2011 (Bohai Sea) and South Africa 1997-1998 (Saldanha Bay) [details]
Harmful effect Aureococcus has been the source of mass mortality of bay scallops (Argyropecten irradians) and clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) in New York State and has been reported from as far south as the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, in addition to Saldanha Bay, South Africa and Bohai Sea, China. A toxin has never been identified, but the presence of the algae in the water deters feeding by stimulating contractions of branchial muscles of the effected bivalves and interfering with ciliary beating. Both toxic and non-toxic strains are known (further details in Gobler & Sunda 2012) [details]
Identification Aureococcus is a very small coccoid cell, up to 2 micrometer in diameter. Identification requires molecular sequencing [details]
Present 
