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Detection and Quantification of Two Parasitic Ciliates Boveria labialis and Boveria subcylindrica (Ciliophora: Scuticociliatia) by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization
Author(s) -
Zhan Zifeng,
Li Ju,
Xu Kuidong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/jeu.12488
Subject(s) - biology , obligate , fluorescence in situ hybridization , aquaculture , zoology , parasite hosting , ecology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , gene , genetics , chromosome , world wide web , computer science
The thigmotrich scuticociliates Boveria labialis and Boveria subcylindrica are obligate parasites that may cause high mortality in cultured sea cucumbers and bivalves. Morphological methods can identify these organisms in active state, but are unable to discern them in resting stages. In aquaculture practice, these parasitic ciliates are hard to eradicate when massive infection occurs in sea cucumbers. Thus, early detection and precaution are crucial for the control of these pathogens. Under such circumstances, fluorescence in situ hybridization ( FISH ) will serve as a fast way to detect and monitor the occurrence of these parasites. We designed two SSU ‐ rDNA targeted oligonucleotide probes labeled with fluorochromes, and optimized the FISH protocols for the detection of B. labialis and B . subcylindrica from the host sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and the bivalve Atrina pectinata , respectively. The assays resulted in a clear differentiation of the two similar species by strong fluorescence signals from the oligonucleotide probes. Moreover, we successfully used the FISH protocol to detect the cysts of B. labialis and variation in abundance of active parasites to evaluate the efficacy of chemical treatments. This is the first report and detection of the cysts of B. labialis from the host sea cucumber A. japonicus .