Crassostrea Corteziensis Research Articles

Reproductive biology of three oyster species from a lagoon in the southeastern Gulf of California

ABSTRACT Oyster fishing in Mexico holds significant importance, but official records show a consistent drop in production. To understand the reproductive behaviour of key oyster species —Crassostrea corteziensis, Saccostrea palmula, and Striostrea prismatica— in a southeastern Gulf of California lagoon (May 2019 to April 2020), this research delved into their reproductive traits. C. corteziensis and S. palmula exhibited five phases of gonadal development, including: undifferentiated/resting, initial gametogenesis, advanced gametogenesis, maturation, and spawning; S. prismatica showed four: undifferentiated/resting, gametogenesis, maturation, and spawning phases. The three oysters displayed hermaphroditism. Spawning peaks varied: C. corteziensis from September to November, S. palmula from May to September, and S. prismatica from August to November. Sex ratio (female:male) of S. prismatica differed from the expected 1:1 proportion. C. corteziensis and S. palmula showed continuous reproduction; S. prismatica displayed a single annual reproductive cycle. Since the obtained peak spawning of C. corteziensis and S. prismatica presented discrepancy with the official protection period and there are no regulatory measures for S. palmula, the information on their reproductive behaviour aids in regulating their extraction for sustainability and conservation in the southeastern Gulf of California. Similar information can be replicated in coastal areas of other latitudes where several oyster species coexist.

Prevalence and intensity of a Rickettsiales-like organism in cultured pleasure oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis, from Nayarit, Mexico

Fastidious endosymbiotic Rickettsiales-like organisms (RLOs) have been observed in the digestive diverticula of the cultured pleasure oyster (Crassostrea corteziensis) from Nayarit, Mexico since 2007. In a few mollusk species, these bacteria have been associated with mortality events and production losses. The type of relationship between the RLOs and the pleasure oyster is largely unknown and further investigations are needed to determine if these bacteria warrant management concern in C. corteziensis. In this study, the morphological characteristics of the RLOs were studied by histology and SEM, and the taxonomic affiliations of the bacteria were evaluated by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. In addition, the prevalence and intensity of the RLOs was recorded from 2007 to 2017 by histology. The RLOs were observed inside circular basophilic cytoplasmic membrane bound vacuoles (MBVs) that had an average length and width of 15.70 ± 15.24 µm and 15.42 ± 14.95 µm respectively. Apart from cellular hypertrophy, no tissue alterations were observed in the areas adjacent to the RLOs. Individual bacteria within the MBVs were coccoid in shape with an average length of 0.65 ± 0.12 µm and an average width of 0.38 ± 0.09 µm. The bacterial microbiota of a selected number of samples (one sample without RLOs and two samples with RLOs) showed the presence of intracellular parasite OTUs corresponding to the families Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae, suggesting that the RLOs from the pleasure oyster is associated with the order Rickettsiales. A mean prevalence of 5 % was observed throughout the study period and the majority of the organisms (89 %) presented low intensity of Grade 1 (30–61 RLOs) of the MBVs. A higher prevalence of the RLOs was observed during warmer months. The lack of tissue alterations, the low prevalence and the low intensity of the MBVs suggest that the RLOs from C. corteziensis is a commensal endosymbiont that presents little risk for oyster production in Nayarit, México. However, regular monitoring is needed to detect if any variation in this relationship occurs, mainly in a scenario where extreme environmental fluctuations may occur.

Growth, survival, and morphometric relationships of Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated during the nursery stage in oyster bags at different tidal levels, in Boca de Camichín, Nayarit, Mexico

The optimal tide height at which the intertidal oyster bed system (IOBS) should be installed to cultivate Crassostrea corteziensis in Boca de Camichín (BC), Nayarit, Mexico, during the intermediate grow-out stage (39.3–60.2 mm in shell length) was determined. Temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a (Chla), and turbidity were recorded 3 times a day. A trophic state index (TSI) was calculated with Chla and turbidity data. Three treatments corresponding to tide levels were tested: (1) high level (14 cm above mean sea level [MSL], emersion time [ET] = 56.4% of the total duration of the experiment), (2) intermediate level (MSL, ET = 48.6%), and (3) low level (41 cm below MSL, ET = 32.1%). Gross growth rates and absolute and relative monthly growth rates were calculated to identify periods with highest growth relative to environmental conditions. Finally, the effect of the treatments on the dimensions and weight of the oysters was studied. The results indicate that BC water was mesotrophic in April–June and eutrophic in July–August. The low tide level was the best for IOBS operation, with growth rates of 0.15, 0.10, and 0.07 mm·d–1 in shell length, width, and thickness, respectively, and 0.204 g·d–1 wet weight. Cumulative mortality was lower in the low (18.5%) and intermediate (16.4%) treatments. Shell thickness was significant reduced (P < 0.05) in the high treatment and total wet weight was reduced in the high and intermediate treatments. The results of this study offer a viable and different alternative to the cultivation of C. corteziensis in strings that is currently carried out in Boca de Camichín, Nayarit, Mexico.

Changes in Carbohydrates and N-Acetylglucosamine (Glcnac) In Response to an Experimental Increase of Temperature in Tissues of Two Oyster Species, the Temperate Introduced Crassostrea Gigas and the Native Tropical Crassostrea Corteziensis

This information provides valuable insights for further studies into the immunological mechanisms of oyster summer mortality events.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pediococcus pentosaceus Strain PP16CC, Isolated from Oyster Crassostrea corteziensis.

ABSTRACTPediococcus pentosaceus strain PP16CC comes from the intestine of Crassostrea corteziensis. A 1.82-Mbp draft genome of this strain was assembled using A5-miseq from illumina reads, resulting in 4 contigs and 1,856 predicted protein coding genes. Additionally, 23 proteins belonging to various glycosyl hydrolase families and 6 prophage regions were identified.

Biomonitoring of potentially toxic elements through oysters (Saccostrea palmula and Crassostrea corteziensis) from coastal lagoons of Southeast Gulf of California, Mexico: health risk assessment.

The coastal lagoons of the Gulf of California support important traditional fisheries and mollusc cultures (generally oysters) and receive important volumes of agricultural, industrial and urban effluents, consumption of the oysters could pose risk to human health. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in the oysters Saccostrea palmula and Crassostrea corteziensis, from four coastal lagoons (Altata, AL; Macapule, ML; Navachiste, NL; El Colorado, ECL) in the Southeast Gulf of California, were seasonally evaluated (summer 2019-spring 2020). The order of magnitude of potentially toxic elements concentrations in the soft tissue in both oyster species and at all sites was Zn > Fe > Cu > As > Cd > Pb. Cadmium, Cu, Pb, and Zn exceeded the maximum permissible limits in more than one sampling site. The highest concentrations (mg kg-1, wet weight) of As (4.2 ± 1.1, spring) and Cd (3.3 ± 0.7, autumn) were registered in S. palmula et al. and NL sampling sites, respectively. Crassostrea corteziensis presented higher levels of Cu (40.5 ± 6.7, spring), Pb (2.0 ± 0.4, spring), and Zn (96.9 ± 20.4, spring) in ECL and Fe (62.2 ± 25.4, autumn) in ML. The hazard quotient (HQ) values exceeded the safe level of 1 for Cd in S. palmula and C. corteziensis in NL for children (~ 16kg weight). In addition, in children, the hazard index (HI) values in both species of oysters ranged from 0.7 to 2.1 and 0.6 to 1.9, respectively. On the other hand, the intake of the studied elements through the consumption of oysters would not induce adverse effects to human health (men and women weighing 70 and 60kg, respectively); HQ and HI values were < 1.

The effects of experimental temperature increase on gametogenesis and heat stress parameters in oysters: Comparison of a temperate-introduced species (Crassostrea gigas) and a native tropical species (Crassostrea corteziensis)

The effect of thermal stress during reproduction was experimentally evaluated in the oyster Crassostrea gigas, a temperate species, and in the tropical oyster Crassostrea corteziensis. The temperature was gradually increased (1 °C day−1) from 20 °C to 34 °C for two weeks. As expected, C. gigas was the species most affected by heat stress, with the highest mortality rate (P < 0.05) starting at 28 °C, while mortality in C. corteziensis was significant only at 34 °C. The reproductive effort at higher temperatures was reflected in C. gigas as the highest index of mature oocytes and the largest rate of atresic and degenerated oocytes. C. corteziensis showed significant increases in the proliferation of early-developing oocytes at maximum temperatures. Lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin accumulation significantly increased in both species at maximum temperatures, with levels in C. gigas being 8-fold higher than in C. corteziensis. A significant loss of biomass and glycogen reserves stored in gonads was found in C. gigas at 34 °C. The mRNA signal of Hsp70 was detected in gonadic tissues from both oysters after thermal stress for in situ hybridization (ISH), with a temperature increase in both species; the cover area of Hsp70 was significantly higher in C. gigas during the experiment. Hemocyte infiltration significantly increased with increasing temperature in both oyster species, and apoptosis was strongly correlated with Hsp70 in both species (r = 0.93; P < 0.05). These results could explain the high tolerance that C. corteziensis has to thermal stress compared to C. gigas and could be used to adapt aquaculture strategies to the use of native species in subtropical climates to reduce summer mortality events.

Enhanced growth of the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultured under integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture ( IMTA ) concept, using farm effluents of shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Most studies using Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems in shrimp aquaculture have assessed the feasibility of culturing non-native bivalve species. However, studies including native species are limited and could represent a better alternative since these organisms are adapted to local environmental conditions and do not represent a sanitary risk. Therefore, we assessed the growth performance of the native oyster Crassostrea corteziensis in IMTA system with a Mexican shrimp farm. The study included three grow-out cycles (starting in October, November and December), three stocking densities (low, medium and high), and three positions of the Nestier®-like tray (top, middle and bottom), in a drainage channel connected to a shrimp farm located in a mangrove zone. From all experimental conditions, the larger wet weight (WW) and shell length (SL) values were registered in October grow-out cycle, associated to warmer temperatures, from oysters at medium stocking density and at the top position (WW: 110.1 ± 3.6 g; SL: 91.3 ± 1.5 mm). These results suggest that grow-out cycle, stocking density and position of oysters in the Nestier®-like trays highly influence the performance of the cultured oyster. Additionally, C. corteziensis growth can be improved by using IMTA systems consisting of shrimp farm effluents.

Effect of hypo– and hypersaline stress conditions on physiological, metabolic, and immune responses in the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae)

Salinity in the oceans is changing due to climate change and global warming. Intense rainfalls and freshwater runoff decrease salinity along the coastal areas. In contrast, intense drought seasons and river damming have certainly increased salinity in lagoons and estuaries. Few studies have focused on aspects of the biology and culture of oyster Crassostrea corteziensis, but until now, physiological and immunological responses in this species have not been assessed under acute hypo– and hypersaline stress conditions. Oysters obtained from a local farm were acclimated for three weeks in laboratory conditions. To avoid closure of oyster valves during salinity induced–stress conditions, a notch was done on each organism shell not only to facilitate oyster tissue exposure to rearing water but also for sampling hemolymph. Oysters (N = 180) were abruptly exposed to three salinity treatments: (HO) hypo–, (C) control, and (HP) hypersaline stress conditions (10, 35, and 50 PSU, respectively). Four oysters per treatment were sampled at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after exposure. Hemolymph osmolality, water content and total protein concentration in tissues, metabolic and immune responses were assessed for each organism. Oyster survival was not different among treatments and was maintained above 96% at the end of the experimental trial. Hemolymph osmolality reached the value of rearing water at 6 and 48 h of exposure to HP and HO stress conditions, where oysters exposed to salinity increase showed less resilience than those to decrease. Higher glucose levels in plasma and lower ones of hemocyanin were assessed in the oysters exposed to HP compared to HO conditions, suggesting more stressful conditions or susceptibility of oysters during salinity increase. Total hemocyte (THC), hyalinocyte (HC), and granulocyte (GC) counts decreased in oysters exposed to HP condition, while total and differential hemocyte counts were similar among oysters exposed to HO and control conditions. Despite hemocyte phagocytosis was not different among treatments, viability decreased in those exposed to HP condition. Contrastingly, superoxide anion (SOA) production (oxidative capacity) increased in oysters exposed to both induced salinity–stress conditions, which suggest susceptibility increase in oysters, particularly during salinity increase. The results show that HP condition is particularly stressful for C. corteziensis. In turn, this condition could increase both their vulnerability to other environmental stressors, such as temperature and/or acidification or susceptibility to opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms that cause the most common oyster diseases.

Amazonia Seasons Have an Influence in the Composition of Bacterial Gut Microbiota of Mangrove Oysters (Crassostrea gasar).

The mangrove oysters (Crassostrea gasar) are molluscs native to the Amazonia region and their exploration and farming has increased considerably in recent years. These animals are farmed on beds built in the rivers of the Amazonia estuaries and, therefore, the composition of their microbiome should be directly influenced by environmental conditions. Our work aimed to evaluate the changes in bacterial composition of oyster's microbiota at two different seasons (rainy and dry). For this purpose, we amplified and sequenced the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequencing was performed on the Illumina MiSeq platform. According to the rarefaction curve, the sampling effort was sufficient to describe the bacterial diversity in the samples. Alpha-diversity indexes showed that the bacterial microbiota of oysters is richer during the rainy season. This richness is possibly associated with the diversity at lower taxonomic levels, since the relative abundance of bacterial phyla in the two seasons remained relatively constant. The main phyla found include Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Similar results were found for the species Crassostrea gigas, Crassostrea sikamea, and Crassostrea corteziensis. Beta-diversity analysis showed that the bacterial composition of oyster's gut microbiota was quite different in the two seasons. Our data demonstrate the close relationship between the environment and the microbiome of these molluscs, reinforcing the need for conservation and sustainable management of estuaries in the Amazonia.

PARÁSITOS METAZOARIOS Y OTROS EPIBIONTES EN EL OSTIÓN DEL PLACER CRASSOSTREA CORTEZIENSIS (HERTLEIN, 1951) EN DOS ZONAS COSTERAS DEL PACÍFICO MEXICANO

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de parásitos metazoarios y epibiontes en el ostión del placer Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951) en dos localidades costeras y pesqueras del estado de Sinaloa, en el noroeste del Pacífico mexicano. Se colectaron 30 ostiones en la cooperativa pesquera de “Playa norte” en la bahía de Mazatlán, Sinaloa y se realizó una comparación con la presencia de parásitos en ostiones en la laguna costera de “Ceuta”. La inspección de ostiones en la laguna costera reveló la presencia de 36 metacercarias encapsuladas de la familia Acanthocolpidae en la gónada del ostión C. corteziensis. En la bahía de Mazatlán, en la zona de Playa norte, se encontraron seis metacercarias: tres de la sp. 1 (pertenece a la familia Hemiuridae) en el manto, un espécimen de sp.2 (Familia Fellodistomidae) en la glándula digestiva y una metacercaria sp3. no identificada en el manto, una metacercaria de (Familia Zoogonidae) en la glándula digestiva, dos nemátodos de vida libre del género Theristus sp. Como organismos epibiontes se encontraron siete ejemplares de poliquetos de la familia Nereididae en la concha de los ostiones. Este trabajo reporta por primera vez la invasión del digeneo Stephanostomum sp. Looss, 1899 de la familia Acanthocolpidae parásito de la gónada del ostión C. corteziensis en el Pacífico mexicano. Así como, la presencia de digeneos pertenecientes a la familia Fellodistomidae, Hemiuridae y Zoogonidae. Los resultados de este trabajo contribuyen al conocimiento en la biología, la biodiversidad y la preferencia del hospedero de estos parásitos, con posibles implicaciones en los riesgos para la salud que plantea el consumo humano del ostión del placer, con gran regionalización en el consumo de mariscos crudos que presentan amplia identidad social gastronómica en estas zonas costeras en el Pacífico mexicano.

Perkinsus marinus in the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated on the southeast coast of the Gulf of California, Mexico

The protozoan Perkinsus marinus has been associated with high mortality episodes of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in the USA. The presence of P. marinus on the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated in two estuaries on the southeast coast of the Gulf of California was evaluated. Oysters were collected monthly (September 2016 to September 2017) and analyzed using Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Water parameters and oyster biometrics were also recorded. Pathogen prevalence increased over time from 0 to 100% in oysters from La Pitahaya, and from 0 to 83.33% in those from Bacorehuis. At both oyster farms, infection intensity was light (&lt;1×104 parasites g-1 wet tissue), pathogen prevalence and infection intensity were correlated with oyster size and weight, and there was a strong correlation between P. marinus prevalence and intensity (La Pitahaya r = 0.91; Bacorehuis r = 0.82). The oysters that resulted positive for P. marinus by RFTM also were assayed using PCR. P. marinus presence was confirmed in 98.27% (114/116) of the oysters from La Pitahaya, and 95.83% (46/48) of those from Bacorehuis. The detection of P. marinus confirms that this pathogen is well established in the area with high expression during the warmer season. Despite the light infection intensity of this parasite at both sites, health surveillance of this bivalve in the region is highly advisable.

Tropical and Subtropical Ostreidae of the American Pacific: Taxonomy, Biology, Ecology, and Genetics

Oysters have throughout history been one of the most important marine invertebrate animals used, whether as human food or as a cultural base. Today, they represent one of the most exploited natural resources, are produced by aquaculture activities, and are one of the most studied groups of shellfish. This is most evident in temperate zones, whereas studies in tropical zones have been comparatively scarce and somewhat disorganized. The present review organizes the studies of a dozen species that are grouped as oysters of the tropical and subtropical American Pacific, considering their taxonomy and identification, as well as their distribution, and establishing an identification key using the characteristics of the shell. Aspects of their biology are described, referring to general anatomy with a type species, the Cortez oyster Crassostrea corteziensis, as well as the life cycle, taking as reference the recent studies carried out on the rock oyster Striostrea prismatica. In the same way, a description of their populations and ecological interactions is provided, emphasizing the reproduction of the different species and ordering the description of the main stages in the gametogenic development of the populations in a latitudinal form. The main diseases and some uses of oysters as bioaccumulating organisms are also described, as well as phylogenetic and population genetic studies. Finally, possible future actions are discussed to provide a more comprehensive knowledge of oysters from the tropics and subtropics of the American Pacific based on the conservation and use of the resources.

Gonadal maturity of Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated in the Gulf of California

The gonadal maturation of the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis during four cultivation cycles (November 2004-June 2005, N4J5; August 2014-February 2016, A14F16; September 2015-December 2016, S15D16; September 2016-August 2017, S16A17) was studied in the southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico. Although C. corteziensis exhibited the typical reproductive phases (undifferentiated or resting, initial gametogenesis, advanced gametogenesis, maturity, spawning and post-spawning), the intensity of reproduction and the timing of the onset of the different phases of gonadal development varied in each cultivation cycle. Reproductive peaks were observed in different months (N4J5 in May, A14F16 in July, S15D16 in May and S16A17 in June) during spring and summer. Spawning correlated with temperature in the N4J5 and A14F16 cultivation cycles but it showed no correlation with chlorophyll-a concentration in any of the cultivation cycles. C. corteziensis presented an opportunistic continuous reproductive strategy with spawning occurring during several months of the year. The modification of the species' reproduction pattern could contribute to the natural settlement of larvae, increasing the natural production of this native oyster resource in the southeast of the Gulf of California, where it has been fished intensively.

Lethal effects of silver nanoparticles on Perkinsus marinus, a protozoan oyster parasite

Perkinsus marinus, a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) notifiable parasite, infects several species of oyster, including Crassostrea virginica and Crassostrea corteziensis. There is little information on possible treatments for this parasite, but the biocidal properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) suggest their potential use. The lethal effects of the Argovit™ formulation of AgNP was evaluated for the first time against hypnospores of P. marinus, a particularly resistant stage of the parasite that persists in the environment until favorable conditions occur for zoosporulation to be induced. Hypnospores were exposed to 1, 10 and 100 µg/mL of silver compounded in Argovit™ (corresponding to 0.009, 0.093 and 0.927 mM of Ag), to 157.47 µg/mL (0.927 mM) of silver nitrate (AgNO3) used as a positive control, and to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 1570 µg/mL) used as a vehicle control. Hypnospores in culture medium without treatment served as a negative control. Dose-dependence after 24 h of exposure to AgNP was observed. A concentration of 0.093 mM AgNP resulted in 50% mortality of P. marinus. Treatment with 0.927 mM of silver, as AgNP or AgNO3, was highly lethal, with greater than 90% mortality. Silver nanoparticles were implicated in the deformation of hypnospores. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed AgNP within the hypnospore wall and involved in the degradation of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. AgNP were effective in a saline medium, suggesting the utility of detailed studies of the physicochemical interactions of AgNP under these conditions. These results suggest investigations of possible effect of Argovit™ formulation of AgNP against stages of the parasite like trophozoites and tomonts that develop in tissues or hemolymph of infected oysters as well as studies on its effects in the host and environment.

Growth and antioxidant response of juvenile oysters Crassostrea sikamea and Crassostrea corteziensis treated with Streptomyces strains

ABSTRACT The effect of three Streptomyces strains (N7, RL8 and V4) and a mixture of Bacillus (BMix) on the growth (Weight, Size) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in hatchery-reared juvenile oysters Crassostrea corteziensis and Crassostrea sikamea was investigated to determine their probiotic potential. Microorganisms were added to culture water at 1×106 CFU/ml once a day during 30 days and all oysters fed daily a microalgae mix. Juveniles of C. sikamea treated with strains N7, RL8 and V4 had a significant weight gain compared to the control group. C. corteziensis juveniles treated with strains RL8 and BMix showed a significantly higher weight gain than the control group. No significant size increase was observed in any treated group for both oyster species. SOD activity significantly increased in C. sikamea treated with RL8 and with RL8, N7 and BMix in C. corteziensis. Streptomyces strains RL8 and N7 emerge as promising probiotic agents to cultivate C. sikamea and C. corteziensis and may also be useful to other molluscs and marine invertebrates .

Occurrence and Abundance of Pathogenic Vibrio Species in Raw Oysters at Retail Seafood Markets in Northwestern Mexico

Seafood has frequently been associated with foodborne illness because pathogens are easily introduced during seafood cultivation, handling, and processing. Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae are human pathogens that cause gastroenteritis and cholera, respectively, and Vibrio vulnificus can cause fatal wound infections and septicemia. However, information about the occurrence of these pathogens in oysters from the Pacific coast of Mexico is limited to V. parahaemolyticus. In the present study, we evaluated the presence and abundance of these three Vibrio species in 68 raw oysters (Crassostrea corteziensis) obtained from retail seafood markets in Sinaloa, Mexico. The most probable number (MPN)-PCR assay was used for amplification of the tlh (thermolabile hemolysin), ompW (outer membrane protein), and vvhA (hemolytic cytolysin) genes that are specific to V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus, respectively. All oyster samples were positive for at least one Vibrio species. V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. vulnificus prevalences were 77.9, 8.8, and 32.3% overall, respectively, and most species were present in all sample periods with increased prevalence in period 3. The tdh (thermostable direct hemolysin) gene was detected in 30.1%, trh (TDH-related hemolysin) was detected in 3.7%, and tdh/trh was detected in 7.5% of the total tlh-positive samples (53 of 68), whereas the pandemic serotype O3:K6 (orf8 positive) was detected in only 1 sample (1.8%). The total prevalence of tdh and/or trh was 41.5%. In none of the samples positive for V. cholerae were the cholera toxin (ctxA) and cholix (chxA) toxigenic genes or the rfb gene encoding the O1 and O139 antigens amplified, suggesting the presence of non-O1 non-O139 V. cholerae strains. Our results clearly indicated a high prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio species in raw oysters from retail seafood markets in Mexico. Consumption of these raw oysters carries the potential risk of foodborne illness, which can be limited by cooking.

Composición de especies de diatomeas en la dieta in situ del ostión de placer Crassostrea corteziensis en un sistema estuarino

Background: The feeding of cultured mollusks has been based on a few strains of diatoms and green algae; however, it has been shown that these have low nutritional value. Therefore, alternatives have been searched as in this case by resorting to the study of in situ feeding of these mollusks. Goals: To elaborate a floristic list of diatoms that are part of the in-situ diet of Crassostrea corteziensis, both wild and in extensive culture at the aestuarine wetlands of Nayarit, Mexico. Methods: A total of 130 oysters were sampled from three sites and three distinct substrates, i.e., string, sediment, and mangrove roots of the estuarine system, during November 2013, and March and June 2014. Their digestive systems were dissected and their gut contents examined, oxydized and mounted in synthetic resin for the identification of the diatoms ingested in-situ. Results: We identified 212 species and varieties of diatoms. Benthic forms composed 72.6% of the species richness, out of which 50% are of marine affinity, 16% are freshwater forms, and 14% were brackish water forms. The size of pennate diatoms varied between 7.4-230 μm long and 2.82-50.61 μm wide; while the diameter of centric diatoms varied between 4.89-123 μm. Conclusions: The in-situ diet of C. corteziensis showed a high species richness and a benthic origin. The species richness and composition of diatoms in the gut contents of C. corteziensis is characteristic of estuarine sediments and represents an approximate description of the benthic diatom taxocenosis of estero Camichin, Nayarit and similar environments in the region. According to their frecuency, taxa such as Cyclotella striata, Cymatotheca weissflogii, Neodelphineis silenda, Shionodiscus oestrupii and Thalassionema nitzschioides var. capitulatum represent alternatives for the in vitro culture of placer oyster.

First Record of Stephanostomum Sp. Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) Metacercariae Parasitising the Pleasure Oyster Crassostrea Corteziensis (Hertlein) from the Mexican Pacific Coast.

SummaryThe aim of this investigation was to identify the parasites present in the largely understudied pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis in Sinaloa state in the northwestern Mexican Pacific coast. Inspection of twenty-eight oysters collected on “Ceuta” lagoon revealed the presence of the digenean Stephanostomum sp. (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae) cysts. Metacercariae were found encapsulated and embedded in the digestive gland and mantle tissue of oysters. The prevalence of infection revealed that 84.6 % were infected, the abundance was 13.62, with a mean intensity of 16.09 per host. The members of this genus are characterized by a double crown of spines in the cephalic region surrounding the buccal opening of the worm. Significantly, we report the first incidence of the digenean Stephanostomum sp of the family Acanthocolpidae parasitizing Crassostrea corteziensis. Further we report that this bivalve is now considered a new intermediate host, and the northwestern Mexican Pacific coast is a new geographical distribution area for this digenean. The findings contribute to our understanding of the biology, biodiversity and host preference of these parasites, with implications for health risks posed by human consumption of the pleasure oyster.

Herpes virus OsHV-1 and the protistPerkinsus marinusmodify the expression of the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule gene in gill and mantle ofCrassostreaspp.

The Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) gene in invertebrates encodes numerous isoforms derived by alternative splicing as a pathogen-specific response. The role of Dscam in immune system responses has been established in fruit fly, mosquito, shrimp, crab, and crayfish, among other arthropods. In molluscs, this gene has not yet been clearly identified, and more importantly, its function has not been elucidated. The present study examined Dscam expression in Crassostrea gigas (CgDscam) and Crassostrea corteziensis (CcDscam) infected with Ostreid herpesvirus type 1 (OsHV-1) and Perkinsus marinus, respectively, through in situ hybridization and quantitative PCR. The consensus coding sequences for CgDscam and CcDscam showed the same organization of domains identified in other taxonomic groups. Furthermore, conserved regions from the signal peptide to Ig1 and from FNIII6 to the cytoplasmic tail were identified. The Dscam transcript was detected in gills and mantles of both species. The hybridization signals were remarkable in infected tissues. QPCR analysis showed higher Dscam expression levels in the infected gills of both species, but in the mantle, no difference in CgDscam expression was observed between control and infected tissues. Moreover, CcDscam expression was inhibited in infected tissue. These results suggest that Dscam could be directly involved in bivalve immune responses.