Lyngbyatoxin-a
Encyclopedia
Lyngbyatoxin-a is a cyanotoxin
produced by certain cyanobacteria species, notably Lyngbya majuscula
. It is used as a defensive secretion to protect this cyanobacteria from predation by fish, being a potent irritant
and vesicant, as well as a carcinogen
. Low concentrations more commonly encountered cause milder symptoms, known as seaweed dermatitis
.
Cyanotoxin
Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria . Cyanobacteria are found almost everywhere, but particularly in lakes and in the ocean where, under certain conditions, they reproduce exponentially to form blooms. Blooming cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins in such...
produced by certain cyanobacteria species, notably Lyngbya majuscula
Lyngbya majuscula
Lyngbya majuscula is a species of cyanobacteria in the genus Lyngbya. Lyngbya majuscula grows on seagrass and is one of the causes of the human skin irritation seaweed dermatitis. It is known as fireweed in Australia and stinging limu in Hawai'i.The prevalence of this organism appears to be on the...
. It is used as a defensive secretion to protect this cyanobacteria from predation by fish, being a potent irritant
Irritation
Irritation or exacerbation, in biology and physiology, is a state of inflammation or painful reaction to allergy or cell-lining damage. A stimulus or agent which induces the state of irritation is an irritant...
and vesicant, as well as a carcinogen
Carcinogen
A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer. This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes...
. Low concentrations more commonly encountered cause milder symptoms, known as seaweed dermatitis
Seaweed dermatitis
Seaweed dermatitis is a cutaneous condition characterized by inflammation of the skin caused by marine alga, specifically Lyngbya majuscula....
.