Dinophysis spp.

Dinophysis spp. Photo credit: Fernanda Mazzill

Toxin produced: Okadaic acid

Syndrome: Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP). DSP is primarily observed as a generally mild gastrointestinal disorder, e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain accompanied by chills, headache, and fever.

Different species of Dinophysis occur in Southern California waters on a regular basis, and the presence of okadaic acid has been detected in California.