Karenia (dinoflagellate)
| Karenia | |
|---|---|
| Karenia brevis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Alveolata |
| Division: | Dinoflagellata |
| Class: | Dinophyceae |
| Order: | Gymnodiniales |
| Family: | Kareniaceae |
| Genus: | Karenia Gert Hansen & Moestrup |
| Type species | |
| Karenia brevis (C.C.Davis) Gert Hansen & Moestrup
| |
Karenia is a genus that consists of unicellular, photosynthetic, planktonic organisms found in marine environments. The genus currently consists of 12 described species. They are best known for their dense toxic algal blooms and red tides that cause considerable ecological and economical damage; some Karenia species cause severe animal mortality. Two species, Karenia brevis and Karenia cristata, are known to cause respiratory distress and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) in humans.