HAB Species, organized by syndrome
The below table lists major HAB poisoning syndromes and other harmful impacts. This information is adapted from the IOC UNESCO Taxonomic Reference List (please visit the the IOC Harmful Algal Programme for additional information: http://www.marinespecies.org/hab)
To view information organized by HAB poisoning syndrome/impact, please click here. Additional information regarding freshwater HAB taxa can be found on the EPA's CyanoHAB website: https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs.
| Syndrome | Causative Organisms | Affected Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) | Pseudo-nitzchia spp. | U.S. West coast including Alaska Atlantic Canada Georges Bank Gulf of Maine Chile Australia New Zealand United Kingdom |
| Azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (AZP) | Azadinium spp. | England Scotland Ireland France Spain Morocco Norway |
| Ciguatera poisoning (CP) | Gambierdiscus spp. | Hawaii Gulf of Mexico Puerto Rico Caribbean Australia many Pacific islands |
| Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) | Dinophysis spp. Prorocentrum lima | U.S. Gulf coast U.S. West coast U.S. Northeast coast Europe Japan Atlantic Canada South Africa Chile Thailand New Zealand Australia |
| Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) | Karenia brevis Karenia brevisulcatum and others | U.S. Gulf coast New Zealand |
| Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) | Alexandrium spp. Gymnodinium catenatum Pyrodinium bahamensevar. compressum and others | U.S. West coast including Alaska New England coastal states Canada Chile Brazil Europe South Africa Asia Australia New Zealand |
| Swimmer's itch Dermatitis | Lyngbya | Australia Florida Worldwide throughout the tropics and subtropics |
| Respiratory Irritation | Karenia brevis (aerosolized toxin) Cyanobacteria (aerosolized toxin) Ostreopsis spp. (aerosolized) macroalgae (decomposition products), | Florida and Gulf of Mexico |