A dinoflagellate with a life cycle that includes numerous flagellated, amoeboid, and encysted stages. Both the flagellated and amoeboid forms produce toxins which cause open wounds on fish. Pfiesteria piscicida feeds on tissue sloughed from these wounds, as well as on bacteria and algae. It is found in Atlantic estuaries of the United States.

Annotation

infection: coordinate with PROTOZOAN INFECTIONS; coordinate with specific protozoan terms (ANTIGENS, PROTOZOAN, etc.) if pertinent

DUI

D020045 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0029756

Previous indexing

Dinoflagellida (1998)

History note

1999

Public note

1999