Small but Deadly: The Story of Karlodinium veneficum

The oceans are vast and teeming with life, but survival in this watery realm is no less competitive than on land. Among the ocean’s myriad inhabitants are dinoflagellates, tiny single-celled organisms that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Despite their minuscule size, some dinoflagellates possess extraordinary biochemical weaponry. One of the most fascinating examples is Karlodinium veneficum, a species armed with potent toxins known as karlotoxins. These molecular marvels enable K. veneficum to thrive by allowing it to prey on smaller organisms and warding off predators.