Harmful effect

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Aureoumbra formed brown tides on the coast of Texas and has been reported also from Florida and from Mexico. It caused disappearance of the dominant clam, Mulinia lateralis, and other grazers. Cells form an extracellular polysaccharide sheath. The sheath is thought to adhere to cilia of the clam, which are essential for feeding. Motility of protozoans is also affected.

Gobler, C.J. & Sunda, W.G. (2012). Ecosystem disruptive algal blooms of the brown tide species, <i>Aureococcus anophagefferens</i> and <i>Aureoumbra lagunensis</i>. <em>Harmful Algae 14: 36-45.</em>