DISEASES OF WILD, CAPTIVE AND CULTURED SCALLOPS

Abstract

ABSTRACTMass mortalities of wild, captive and cultured scallops have been frequently reported. The cailses of such mortalities and population fluctuations have not been established. A review of specific diseases of scallops is presented and the following newly reported diseases are discussed. Odostomia spp. and Polydora spp. are important predators and shell inhabitants of captive and cultured scallops. Rickettsial infections in the bay scallop are reported. Bacterial infections, especially vibriosis, are common in cultured scallop larvae. Protozoan infections and fouling are common and may be pathogenic. These include algal infections of mantle tissue, environmental dinoflagellate blooms (e.g., Prorocentrum spp.), renal coccidia, Hexamita spp., trichodina‐like organisms, and others. A variety of helminth parasites, especially in adductor muscle tissues, are of public health importance. Fouling organisms are common in captive and cultured populations. Sabellaria vulgaris, a polychaete, is an important lethal fouling agent for wild bay scallops.Motile scallops differ from many other bivalves by their anatomical and physiological predisposition to traumatic injuries, fouling and predation.Specific diseases can be most readily observed in captive and cultured populations, increasing our understanding of diseases of wild stock and young larval and juvenile stages.