Karenia Brevis - Ecology and Distribution

Ecology and Distribution

K. brevis is phototactic and negatively geotactic. Cells are thought to be obligate photoautotrophs. Its swimming speed is ca. 1 m h−1. K. brevis is the causative agent of Red Tide, when K. brevis has grown to very high concentrations and the water can take on a reddish or pinkish coloration. The region around southwest Florida is one of the major hotspots for red tide blooms. Red Tide outbreaks have been known to occur since the Spanish explorers of the 15th century, although not nearly as common, or for as lengthy a duration as now. Some sources say Florida red tide blooms are about 10- to 15-fold more abundant than they were 50 years ago. Algal species that have harmful effects on either the environment or human health are commonly known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs are harmful to organisms that share the same habitat as them, though only when in high concentrations.