LARVAL STAGES OF SULCASCARIS SULCATA (NEMATODA: ANISAKIDAE) IN SCALLOPS FROM THE NORTHERN ADRIATIC SEA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SEAFOOD CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE

Abstract

A survey of fresh great Mediterranean scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) and frozen queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) collected from the northern Adriatic Sea demonstrated the presence of nematode larvae that were morphologically and molecularly identified as Sulcascaris sulcata. The presence of this nematode in the northern Adriatic Sea has been described in the logger head sea turtle, which is the final host, but it was only recently described in the intermediate molluscan host. Affected scallops present rust-brown lesions in the adductor muscle. In this study, necroscopic and histopathological lesions are described in affected scallops. Furthermore, the detrimental effects of this parasite on the commercialization of scallops under the current European legislation concerning the hygiene of seafood products are evaluated.