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Domoic acid (DA) is a kainic acid-type neurotoxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). [1] It is produced by algae and accumulates in shellfish , sardines , and anchovies . When sea lions, otters, cetaceans, humans, and other predators eat contaminated animals, poisoning may result.
Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) is an illness caused by consumption of shellfish that contain the marine biotoxin called domoic acid. [1] In mammals , including humans, domoic acid acts as a neurotoxin , causing permanent short-term memory loss , brain damage , and death in severe cases.
Rescuers check a sea lion for domoic acid ingestion on Thursday at Surf Beach near Lompoc. The neurotoxin from algal blooms accumulates in small fish, poisoning large sea mammals that eat them.
Domoic acid is a neurotoxin released by Pseudo-nitzschia, a common phytoplankton species found in coastal waters. Sea lions — and other marine mammals — become poisoned when they eat large ...
The likely cause, domoic acid from an offshore algae bloom, is not unusual. But the breadth of the poisoning, which can cause brain damage, seizures and death in sea lions, is rare, experts say.
The California coast commonly sees outbreaks of domoic acid poisoning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NOAA Fisheries. An outbreak last year was particularly severe, with hundreds sea lions and dozens of dolphins dying in the first weeks of June.
The diatom lineage may go back 180 to 250 million years ago (Mya). About 65 Mya, diatoms survived a mass extinction in which roughly 85% of all species perished. [6] Until 1994, the genus was known as Nitzschia, but was changed to Pseudo-nitzschia because of the ability to form chains of overlapping cells, as well as other minor morphological differences. [8]
Sea lions off the coast of California are dying from domoic acid poisoning caused by consuming fish or muscles that have been eating the toxic algae.