Algae Turn Fish into a Lethal Lunch

To sea lions, an anchovy represents little more than a bite of dinner. In a strange turn of events, microscopic algae have enabled some anchovies to bite back—albeit posthumously.

A sample showing several species of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia as seen under a light microscope. MBARI

Sea lions that survived poisoning by Pseudo-nitschia diatoms (below) received rehabilitation therapy at this center in Sausalito, Calif.