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Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Bivalve Pathogen Surveillance in the Yellow Clam Mesodesma mactroides
Author(s) -
Carvalho Yuri Bovi Morais,
Silva Santos Juan Jethro,
Raibenberg Fernando C.,
Poersch Luis Henrique,
Romano Luis Alberto
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of aquatic animal health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1548-8667
pISSN - 0899-7659
DOI - 10.1080/08997659.2016.1152324
Subject(s) - biology , intertidal zone , polymerase chain reaction , shellfish , fishery , range (aeronautics) , population , zoology , veterinary medicine , ecology , aquatic animal , fish <actinopterygii> , gene , genetics , environmental health , medicine , materials science , composite material
The yellow clam Mesodesma mactroides is a valuable shellfish occurring from the southeastern coast of Brazil to the northern coast of Argentina. Populations of yellow clams are disappearing from their entire range, and the cause is still unknown. The objective of this paper was to search for World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)–listed pathogens and their relatives in the genera Marteilia, Bonamia , and Perkinsus as well as Mikrocytos mackini and the virus OsHV‐1 μ var the yellow clam population in southern Brazil using molecular techniques and classic histology protocols. A total of 180 clams were manually collected in the intertidal region at six sampling points covering the entire coast of Rio Grande do Sul State (length, 622 km) in 2013. Tissue samples were tested by OIE‐recommended single‐step conventional polymerase chain reaction assays. The screening showed no evidence of the specific sequences of the protistan parasites and viral pathogens at any site within the six zones under study. We recommend continuous monitoring of the mollusks in the region. Received July 3, 2015; accepted February 3, 2016