Science. 1978 Sep 29;201(4362):1223-5. doi: 10.1126/science.201.4362.1223.
For the first time, Gonyaulax excavata cysts have been shown to be toxic. Bottom sediments from a water depth of 90 meters off the Maine coast were extremely rich in cysts, which were approximately ten times more toxic than the corresponding motile stages. Cysts are probably ingested by shellfish, thereby causing shellfish toxicity in deeper waters offshore and contributing to shellfish toxicity in shallower coastal waters. A new approach to the problem of paralytic shellfish poisoning is therefore needed, one that takes into account benthic cysts and sedimentary factors affecting their distribution. The possible dangers of spreading poisoning through human activities must be considered.
首次发现，沟鞭藻类的休眠孢囊具有毒性。缅因州沿海 90 米水深处的底层沉积物中休眠孢囊含量极高，其毒性大约是相应运动阶段的 10 倍。贝类可能会摄食这些孢囊，从而导致近海深水区域贝类中毒，并导致近岸浅水区域贝类中毒。因此，需要采用新方法来解决麻痹性贝类中毒问题，新方法应考虑底栖孢囊以及影响其分布的沉积因素。还必须考虑通过人类活动传播中毒的潜在危险。
