Karlodinium veneficum

Karlodinium veneficum is a species of dinoflagellates belonging to the family Kareniaceae.^[1] This species is predominantly inhabiting aquatic environments, particularly in temperate coastal regions.

Karlodinium veneficum
Scanning electron microscope image of Karlodinium veneficum (right) feeding on Rhodomonas
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Sar
Clade:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Dinoflagellata
Class:	Dinophyceae
Order:	Gymnodiniales
Family:	Kareniaceae
Genus:	Karlodinium
Species:	K. veneficum
Binomial name
Karlodinium veneficum (D.Ballantine) J.Larsen 2000

Karlodinium veneficum genome sizes have been reported as ~20 pg/cell^[2] and 4 pg/cell.^[3]

This phytoplankton has the capacity to produce harmfull toxins, specifically karlotoxins, which have been associated with detrimental phenomena such as harmful algae blooms.^[4] These blooms have been documented globally, spanning regions from South Africa^[5] and Europe^[6] to Australia, North America, and China. The repercussions of K. veneficum blooms include not only ecological concerns, also substantial economic and environmental impacts.

The species-specific toxins produced by K. veneficum, known as karlotoxins, belong to the amphidinol-like compound class, exhibiting hemolytic, ichthyotoxic, and cytotoxic properties. The toxins generated by this dinoflagellate have been implicated in massive fish kills during bloom events.^[7]

K. veneficum is not confined to solitary blooms but frequently coexists with other phytoplankton species, such as Prorocentrum donghaiense and Karenia mikimotoi.^[8] K. veneficum often proliferates into dense blooms following the decline of P. donghaiense.^[9]