domoic acid
noun
do·mo·ic acid
də-ˈmō-ik- 
: a neurotoxin C15H21NO6 that is produced by some diatoms (especially genus Pseudo-nitzschia) and has caused poisoning in vertebrates (such as sea lions, birds, and humans) that have consumed diatom-contaminated fish or shellfish
Examples of domoic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The rapid growth of algae can cause elevated levels of the neurotoxin known as domoic acid.
—
Stacie N. Galang, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Scores of sea lions and dolphins have been fatally poisoned in recent months by domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Pseudo-nitzschia produces a neurotoxin known as domoic acid.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
What To Know Last August, months before Trump took office, the deaths of hundreds of sea lions, dolphins and seabirds in California were attributed to a harmful neurotoxin outbreak called domoic acid, the Los Angeles Times reported.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
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Stacie N. Galang, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Scores of sea lions and dolphins have been fatally poisoned in recent months by domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Pseudo-nitzschia produces a neurotoxin known as domoic acid.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
What To Know Last August, months before Trump took office, the deaths of hundreds of sea lions, dolphins and seabirds in California were attributed to a harmful neurotoxin outbreak called domoic acid, the Los Angeles Times reported.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for domoic acid
Cite this Entry
“Domoic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domoic%20acid. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
domoic acid
noun
do·mo·ic acid
də-ˈmō-ik-
: a neurotoxin analog C15H21NO6 of glutamic acid that is produced chiefly by marine diatoms (as Pseudo-nitzschia australis and Pseudo-nitzschia pungens) and has caused poisoning in sea mammals and birds and amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans who have consumed contaminated fish or shellfish
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