Chattonella cf. verruculosa

An historical review of data collected by the Maryland Department of the Environment in 1983 and 1992 showed Chattonella cf. verruculosa was present in the Coastal Bays. The survey data suggested that concentrations may have been lower compared with recent monitoring observations since 1998 by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. C. verruculosa is potentially toxic and has been shown to be capable of producing a neurotoxin (i.e., brevetoxin). This species has been associated with large fish kills in other areas of the world and was implicated in large fish kill events in Delaware, USA, during 2000. As of Autumn 2002, there has been no evidence of toxic activity by C. verruculosa in Maryland.