Abstract
This study investigated the parasites of three commercially important bivalve species (Crassostrea rhizophorae, Mytella guyanensis and Lucina pectinata) from the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil. A total of 540 specimens were collected in August 2009 and February 2010, at three localities. The bivalve specimens were measured on their longest axis, opened, and macroscopically examined for the presence of parasites or signs of disease. They were then fixed in Davidson' solution and subjected to routine histological processing, with paraffin embedding and H&E staining; next, the specimens were examined under a light microscope. No parasites were observed associated with L. pectinata. Rickettsia-like organisms (RLOs), Sphenophrya sp. (Ciliophora), Nematopsis sp. (Apicomplexa), Urastoma sp. (Turbellaria) and Bucephalus sp. (Digenea) were observed in both C. rhizophorae and M. guyanensis, as well as Ancistrocoma sp. (Ciliophora) and Tylocephalum sp. (Cestoda) in the former. A high prevalence of Nematopsis sp. was seen, but caused no apparent damage to the host. Bucephalus sp. caused the destruction of tissues, with castration, but showed low prevalence. The other parasites occurred in low prevalence and intensity, without causing significant damage.
Highlights
Many organisms can be found associated with bivalve mollusks, including viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi and metazoans (KINNE, 1983)
This study investigated the parasites of three commercially important bivalve species (Crassostrea rhizophorae, Mytella guyanensis and Lucina pectinata) from the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil
The mollusks were washed under tap water and measured on their longest axis
Summary
Many organisms can be found associated with bivalve mollusks, including viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi and metazoans (KINNE, 1983). Some of these symbionts can cause damage and sometimes disease in mollusks, affecting natural and farmed stocks. Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) (Ostreidae), Mytella guyanensis (Lamarck, 1819) (Mytilidae) and Lucina pectinata (Gmelin, 1791) (Lucinidae), all prominent species in the coastal mangroves of Bahia state, are economically important and are used for both local consumption and commercial sale in the region. Crassostrea rhizophorae is already being cultivated on a small scale in Baía de Todos os Santos and in some areas of the southern coast of Bahia, as well as in Valença and Baía de Camamu.
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