Parasites and Symbionts From Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamark, 1819) (Bivalves: Mytilidae) of the Aveiro Estuary Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Claire J Francisco (Author) Other; Margarida A Hermida (Author) Other; Maria J Santos (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Parasitology

Vol. 96 No. 1

Pages: 200-205

ISSN: 0022-3395

Publisher: American Society of Parasitology

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 28 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 32 Citations

Current Contents

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-9FX

DOI: 10.1645/ge-2064.1

Abstract (EN): The primary aim of the present study was to conduct a 1-yr parasitological survey of a Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel population from the Aveiro Estuary, Portugal. In addition, we attempted to assess the host response to parasites by examining host, histopathology, including an evaluation of hemocyte infiltration and parasite encapsulation. The parasites present (prevalence) included the following: 1 protozoan. Nematopsis sp. (70%); 1 turbellarian, Urastoma cyprinae, (39%), 2 trematodes, Diphtherostomum sp. (58%) and Prosorhynchus crucibulum (0.3%); 3 crustaceans, Bathylaophonte azorica (0.3%); and 2 species of Mytilicola sp. (3.5%), M. intestinalis. and M. orientalis. Highest prevalences for the most abundant species occurred in summer and autumn. Histological sections of the mantle of infected mussels revealed a marked reduction in the reproductive tissue, indicating that P. crucibulum invades the mussel and promotes a severe damage to its reproductive capacity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6