Abstract: | Single done isolates of Pseudonitzschia australis Frenguelli (= Nitzschia pseudoseriata Hasle) isolated from a toxic bloom in Monterey Bay, California produced domoic acid in culture. Although long-term historical records do not indicate previous blooms of this species on the Pacific coast, this is probably because it has been often misidentified as Nitzschia seriata Hasle; previous evidence for toxicity is lacking. Hydrographic data suggest that areas such as Monterey Bay might be “hot spots” for domoic acid-producing blooms. |