Investigating the possible role of benthic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton in the life cycle of the haplosporidian Bonamia ostreae
Lynch, S.A.; Armitage, D.V.; Coughlan, J.; Mulcahy, M.F.; Culloty, S.C. (2007). Investigating the possible role of benthic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton in the life cycle of the haplosporidian Bonamia ostreae. Exp. Parasitol. 115(4): 359-368. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2006.09.021
In: Experimental parasitology. Academic Press: New York. ISSN 0014-4894; e-ISSN 1090-2449, more
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| Keywords |
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Zooplankton
Bonamia ostreae Pichot, Comps, Tigé, Grizel & Rabouin, 1980 [WoRMS]; Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Brittle star; ntermediate host; Benthic macroinvertebrates; PCR screening |
| Authors | | Top |
- Lynch, S.A.
- Armitage, D.V.
- Coughlan, J.
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- Mulcahy, M.F.
- Culloty, S.C.
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| Abstract |
Bonamia ostreae is a protistan parasite of the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis . Though direct transmission of the parasite can occur between oysters, it is unclear if this represents the complete life cycle of the parasite, and the role of a secondary or intermediate host or carrier species cannot be ruled out. In this preliminary study, benthic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton from a B. ostreae -endemic area were screened for the presence of parasite DNA, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eight benthic macroinvertebrates and nineteen grouped zooplankton samples gave positive results. Certain species, found positive for the parasite DNA, were then used in laboratory transmission trials, to investigate if they could infect naïve oysters. Transmission of B. ostreae was effected to two naïve oysters cohabiting with the brittle star, Ophiothrix fragilis . |
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