A strain called LB 2797 (isolated from Colorado River in Texas) shows a biphasic growth pattern namely, maximum cell densities increased as salinity increased from 5 to 15 psu but decreased at higher levels in laboratory culture. The alga produces dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and other unknown polyols, likely as an adaptation to osmoregulation. The environment must be between  and  for P. parvum to live.
A strain known as LB 2797 (isolated from Colorado River in Texas) exhibits a two-stage growth pattern: cell densities peak as salinity rises from 5 to 15 psu but decline at higher levels in laboratory conditions. The alga generates dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and other unidentified polyols, presumably for osmoregulation purposes. The environment must be within a certain range for P. parvum to survive.