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Images of Golden Alga, Prymnesium parvum

Photo Gallery

Click each thumbnail below for more information and to view larger image

Fish Kill Sites

View of bloom from the air Fish Kill Partially eaten crappie indicates feeding on dead fish by other wildlife Foam is characteristic of golden alga bloom when water is agitated. More foam Foaming Drum A look at the hemoraged gills of Bloody gills Shad Ice and golden water Fish kill at Jackson Bend, Lake Granbury, 2003 used with permission, courtesy of Gary Turner of Brazos River Authority Jackson Bend fish kill Investigating the Jackson Bend Fish Kill photo used with permission, courtesy of Gary Turner of Brazos River Authority Golden water Golden water Golden water foam up close

Golden Alga, P. parvum Cells

Photo by Dr. Carmelo Tomas, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Photo by Dr. John LaClaire, University of Texas at Austin Photo by Dave Buzan Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Dave Buzan Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Greg Southard Photo by Greg Southard

Video of Cells

These short (mpeg) video images were captured by Greg Southard in the TPWD lab using a Olympus DP-70 camera on a Olympus BX-51 compound light microscope utilizing differential interference contrast (DIC) optics. All images below were viewed at 1000X total magnification. In order to view them you will need Windows Media Player® or other mpeg player software. (see Downloading Information)

The condition of the cells
These videos are all representative of P. parvum when it is not “blooming” and/or causing toxic conditions. These videos are depicting P. parvum in a non-toxic phase or during the end of a bloom. Capturing P. parvum on film when it is toxic and causing a bloom has been difficult as it tends to move around much faster under those conditions.
NOTE: These videos have been formatted for web viewing; if you have an interest in viewing these videos at a higher quality level than feasible through the website, please contact Greg Southard, TPWD fisheries biologist: (512) 353-3492 or email greg.southard@tpwd.state.tx.us

Golden Alga Video #1
This is a short video with little movement (some morphological shape changes may be seen in the cell) of the organism except for the flagella and haptonema (see Biology of Golden Alga) which are whipping back and forth quite actively.

View video #1 (file size: 387 KB)

Golden Alga Video #2
This video shows a P. parvum cell rotating slightly and the action of the flagella and haptonema.

View video #2 (file size: 117 KB)

Golden Alga Video #3
This video shows and identifies a P. parvum cell among a mixed culture of other organisms.

View video #3 (file size: 120 KB)

 

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Aditional Information:

Would you like to know more?
The Biology of Golden Alga summarizes what we know about the alga and its toxins.

Where does golden alga fit compared to other single-celled organisms?
The Golden Alga Family Tree gives examples of and information about golden alga and other protists.

What does golden alga look like?
TPWD Golden Alga Images has photos of fish kills, golden algal cells, and short videos of live golden alga. These images may be used for noncommercial/educational purposes as long as TPWD is given credit and other site policies are followed.

Golden Alga Information Card: TPWD has collaborated with TCEQ and other entities to produce a golden alga information card(pdf document). The purpose of this card is to educate the public on golden alga blooms and answer some common questions. Hard copies of this card are available for free by contacting 512 389-8750.

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