Journal article
Longitudinal study of winter mortality disease in Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, Vol.110, pp.151-164
2014
Abstract
Winter mortality (WM) is a poorly studied disease affecting Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata in estuaries in New South Wales, Australia, where it can cause significant losses. WM is more severe in oysters cultured deeper in the water column and appears linked to higher salinities. Current dogma is that WM is caused by the microcell parasite Bonamia roughleyi, but evidence linking clinical signs and histopathology to molecular data identifying bonamiasis is lacking. We conducted a longitudinal study between February and November 2010 in 2 estuaries where WM has occurred (Georges and Shoalhaven Rivers). Results from molecular testing of experimental oysters for Bonamia spp were compared to clinical disease signs and histopathology. Available environmental data from the study sites were also collated and compared. Oyster condition declined over the study period, coinciding with decreasing water temperatures, and was inversely correlated with the presence of histological lesions. While mortalities occurred in both estuaries, only oysters from the Georges River study site showed gross clinical signs and histological changes characteristic of WM (lesions were prevalent and intralesional microcell-like structures were sometimes noted). PCR testing for Bonamia spp revealed the presence of an organism belonging to the B. Exitiosa-B. roughleyi clade in some samples; however, the very low prevalence of this organism relative to histological changes and the lack of reactivity of affected oysters in subsequent in situ hybridisation experiments led us to conclude that this Bonamia sp is not responsible for WM. Another aetiological agent and a confluence of environmental factors are a more likely explanation for the disease. © Inter-Research 2014.
Details
- Title
- Longitudinal study of winter mortality disease in Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata
- Authors
- Z B Spiers (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesM Gabor (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesS A Fell (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesR B Carnegie (Author) - College of William and Mary, United StatesM Dove (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesWayne A O'Connor (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesJ Frances (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesJ Go (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesI B Marsh (Author) - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesC Jenkins (Author) - NSW Department of Primary Industries
- Publication details
- Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, Vol.110, pp.151-164
- Publisher
- Inter-Research
- Date published
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.3354/dao02629
- ISSN
- 0177-5103
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450334502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
31 File views/ downloads
556 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Fisheries
- Veterinary Sciences
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites