An Ecological Survey of a Toxic Dinoflagellate, Gambierdiscus toxicus, and Two Other Related Unicellular Algae in the Fiji Islands

The distribution of Gambierdiscus toxicus, a toxic dinoflagellate, and two otherrelated unicellular algae, P.lima and O.lenticularis, was extensively studied in the Fiji Islands. This ciguatera causative organism was commonly found in all the surveyed localities suggesting the possibility of blooms of this organism leading to the intoxication anytime when circumstances become favorable for its growth. It is necessary toclosely monitor the environment to prevent or minimize the intoxication