1
|
Gürkan M, Ertürk Gürkan S, Künili İE, Acar S, Özel OT, Düzgüneş ZD, Türe M. Evaluation of the health of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) distributed in the Çanakkale strait, Turkey. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 197:106492. [PMID: 38598959 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The observation of mortality in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) distributed in the Çanakkale Strait in recent years was influential in developing the research question for this study. In this study, the presence of bacteria (Vibrio spp.) and parasites (Marteilia spp. and Haplosporidium spp.) in mussels collected from Kumkale, Kepez, and Umurbey stations in the Çanakkale Strait was investigated seasonally. Microbiological findings, histopathology, oxidative stress enzymes and their gene expressions, lipid peroxidation, lysosomal membrane stability, and changes in haemolymph were examined. In summer samples, both the defence system and the extent of damage were higher in gill tissue. In winter samples, enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation were found to be predominantly higher in digestive gland tissues. Histological examinations and Hemacolor staining revealed the presence of protozoan cysts, and for bacterial examination, molecular analysis performed after culturing revealed the presence of 7 Vibrio species. While the total numbers of heterotrophic bacteria detected in all samples were at acceptable levels, the predominance of Vibrio spp. numbers among the total heterotrophic bacteria detected in almost all samples were noteworthy. The total hemocyte count was calculated as 5.810(4)±0.58 (cells/mm3) in winter and 7.210(4)±1.03 (cells/mm3) in summer. These factors are considered to be possible causes of mussel mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mert Gürkan
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Çanakkale, Turkiye
| | - Selin Ertürk Gürkan
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Çanakkale, Turkiye.
| | - İbrahim Ender Künili
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Department of Fishing and Fish Processing Technology, Çanakkale, Turkiye
| | - Seçil Acar
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Department of Marine Sciences and Limnology, Çanakkale, Turkiye
| | - Osman Tolga Özel
- Central Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Aquaculture, Trabzon, Turkiye
| | - Zehra Duygu Düzgüneş
- Central Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Breeding and Genetics, Trabzon, Turkiye
| | - Mustafa Türe
- Central Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Fisheries Health, Trabzon, Turkiye
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mariottini P, Smriglio C, Oliverio M, Rossi S, Di Giulio A. Checklist of the marine malacofauna of Culuccia Peninsula (NW Sardinia, Italy), with notes on relevant species. Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e115051. [PMID: 38469224 PMCID: PMC10925873 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e115051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Culuccia is a small peninsula of about 3 km2 placed in north-western Sardinia (Italy) at the margin of the Maddalena Archipelago. The marine area surrounding this Peninsula is a Special Area of Conservation, included in the European Natura 2000 Ecological Network of protected areas, but until now, no information on biodiversity of this area is available. In 2021, a research project to study both terrestrial and marine biodiversity of Culuccia has started in order to fill this gap of knowledge. New information This work provides the first inventory of the marine malacofauna of the coast of Culuccia. Fifteen sites were sampled seasonally for one-year by using different sampling methods and the present study shows the results from approximately 50 scientific SCUBA and free dive surveys, carried out in all main marine habitats of the studied area. In total, 259 species of molluscs were recorded along the coasts of the Culuccia Peninsula (0-25 m depth), belonging to the classes Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda. Amongst the four classes recorded, gastropods were the most represented (66.90%; 173 species), followed by bivalves (28.10%; 73 species), polyplacophorans (4.60%; 12 species) and scapophods (0.40%; 1 species). Notes about distribution, conservation status and ecology for some valuable species are provided, together with images of representative species, consisting mainly of in situ photographs. Additionally, the present investigation recorded the presence of four alien species, whose Mediterranean distribution was extended to north-western Sardinia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Mariottini
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Science, Roma Tre UniversityRomeItaly
| | - Carlo Smriglio
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Science, Roma Tre UniversityRomeItaly
| | - Marco Oliverio
- Dept. of Biology & Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDept. of Biology & Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Biru S.r.l. Agricola, S.Teresa di Gallura (SS), ItalyBiru S.r.l. AgricolaS.Teresa di Gallura (SS)Italy
| | - Andrea Di Giulio
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Science, Roma Tre UniversityRomeItaly
- NBFC - National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, ItalyNBFC - National Biodiversity Future CenterPalermoItaly
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sanna D, Azzena I, Locci C, Ankon P, Kružić P, Manfrin C, Pallavicini A, Ciriaco S, Segarich M, Batistini E, Scarpa F, Casu M. Reconstructing the Evolutionary History of Pinna nobilis: New Genetic Signals from the Past of a Species on the Brink of Extinction. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:114. [PMID: 38200845 PMCID: PMC10778441 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pinna nobilis, commonly known as the noble pen shell, is a marine bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Unfortunately, due to a multifactorial disease that began affecting its populations in 2016, the species is currently facing the threat of extinction. To gain insights into the evolutionary history of P. nobilis before the mass mortality event (MME), and to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how evolutionary processes led to the adaptation of the species into the Mediterranean Sea, phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were carried out. The dataset analysed includes 469 sequences of COI gene fragment both from GenBank and the present study (100). The analysis performed evidenced that P. nobilis diverged about 2.5 mya, after the entrance of its ancestor into the Mediterranean Sea following the Zanclean flood (5.33 mya). Moreover, our results suggest that the starting point of colonisation was the central part of the western Mediterranean basin, with the eastern basin being populated subsequently. From a conservational viewpoint, these results provide important hints for present and future restocking plans, helping to reconstruct the pre-existing genetic variability in sites where the species became extinct.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daria Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.A.); (C.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Ilenia Azzena
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.A.); (C.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Chiara Locci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.A.); (C.L.); (F.S.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Pavel Ankon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (P.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Petar Kružić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (P.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Chiara Manfrin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (C.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (C.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Saul Ciriaco
- WWF AMP Miramare, Via Beirut 2/4, 34151 Trieste, Italy;
- Shoreline Soc. Coop., AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.S.); (E.B.)
| | - Marco Segarich
- Shoreline Soc. Coop., AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.S.); (E.B.)
| | - Edoardo Batistini
- Shoreline Soc. Coop., AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.S.); (E.B.)
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.A.); (C.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Marco Casu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhong L, Carvalho LA, Gao S, Whyte SK, Purcell SL, Fast MD, Cai W. Transcriptome analysis revealed immune responses in the kidney of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) co-infected with sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and infectious salmon anemia virus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 143:109210. [PMID: 37951318 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAv) are two of the most important pathogens in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farming and typically cause substantial economic losses to the industry. However, the immune interactions between hosts and these pathogens are still unclear, especially in the scenario of co-infection. In this study, we artificially infected Atlantic salmon with sea lice and ISAv, and investigated the gene expression patterns of Atlantic salmon head kidneys in response to both lice only and co-infection with lice and ISAv by transcriptomic analysis. The challenge experiment indicated that co-infection resulted in a cumulative mortality rate of 47.8 %, while no mortality was observed in the lice alone infection. We identified 240 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under the lice alone infection, of which 185 were down-regulated and 55 were up-regulated, while a total of 994 DEGs were identified in the co-infection, of which 206 were down-regulated and 788 were significantly up-regulated. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that single-infection significantly suppressed the innate immune system (e.g., the complement system), whereas co-infection induced a strong immune response, leading to the activation of immune-related signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors pathways, as well as significant upregulation of genes related to the activation of interferon and MH class I protein complex. Our results provide the first global transcriptomic study of gene expression in the Atlantic salmon head kidney in response to co-infection with sea lice and ISAv, and provided the baseline knowledge for understanding the immune responses during co-infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhong
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, and State Key Lab of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Laura A Carvalho
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Shengnan Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, and State Key Lab of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Shona K Whyte
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Sara L Purcell
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Mark D Fast
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada.
| | - Wenlong Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, and State Key Lab of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Carella F, Palić D, Šarić T, Župan I, Gorgoglione B, Prado P, Andree KB, Giantsis IA, Michaelidis B, Lattos A, Theodorou JA, Luis Barja Perez J, Rodriguez S, Scarpa F, Casu M, Antuofermo E, Sanna D, Otranto D, Panarese R, Iaria C, Marino F, Vico GD. Multipathogen infections and multifactorial pathogenesis involved in noble pen shell ( Pinna nobilis) mass mortality events: Background and current pathologic approaches. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:560-577. [PMID: 37458195 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231186737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Disease outbreaks in several ecologically or commercially important invertebrate marine species have been reported in recent years all over the world. Mass mortality events (MMEs) have affected the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis), causing its near extinction. Our knowledge of the dynamics of diseases affecting this species is still unclear. Early studies investigating the causative etiological agent focused on a novel protozoan parasite, Haplosporidium pinnae, although further investigations suggested that concurrent polymicrobial infections could have been pivotal in some MMEs, even in the absence of H. pinnae. Indeed, moribund specimens collected during MMEs in Italy, Greece, and Spain demonstrated the presence of a bacteria from within the Mycobacterium simiae complex and, in some cases, species similar to Vibrio mediterranei. The diagnostic processes used for investigation of MMEs are still not standardized and require the expertise of veterinary and para-veterinary pathologists, who could simultaneously evaluate a variety of factors, from clinical signs to environmental conditions. Here, we review the available literature on mortality events in P. nobilis and discuss approaches to define MMEs in P. nobilis. The proposed consensus approach should form the basis for establishing a foundation for future studies aimed at preserving populations in the wild.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dušan Palić
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sergio Rodriguez
- University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Coupé S, Giantsis IA, Vázquez Luis M, Scarpa F, Foulquié M, Prévot J, Casu M, Lattos A, Michaelidis B, Sanna D, García‐March JR, Tena‐Medialdea J, Vicente N, Bunet R. The characterization of toll-like receptor repertoire in Pinna nobilis after mass mortality events suggests adaptive introgression. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10383. [PMID: 37546570 PMCID: PMC10401143 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is currently on the brink of extinction due to a multifactorial disease mainly caused to the highly pathogenic parasite Haplosporidium pinnae, meaning that the selection pressure outweighs the adaptive potential of the species. Hopefully, rare individuals have been observed somehow resistant to the parasite, stretching the need to identify the traits underlying this better fitness. Among the candidate to explore at first intention are fast-evolving immune genes, of which toll-like receptor (TLR). In this study, we examined the genetic diversity at 14 TLR loci across P. nobilis, Pinna rudis and P. nobilis × P. rudis hybrid genomes, collected at four physically distant regions, that were found to be either resistant or sensitive to the parasite H. pinnae. We report a high genetic diversity, mainly observed at cell surface TLRs compared with that of endosomal TLRs. However, the endosomal TLR-7 exhibited unexpected level of diversity and haplotype phylogeny. The lack of population structure, associated with a high genetic diversity and elevated dN/dS ratio, was interpreted as balancing selection, though both directional and purifying selection were detected. Interestingly, roughly 40% of the P. nobilis identified as resistant to H. pinnae were introgressed with P. rudis TLR. Specifically, they all carried a TLR-7 of P. rudis origin, whereas sensitive P. nobilis were not introgressed, at least at TLR loci. Small contributions of TLR-6 and TLR-4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms to the clustering of resistant and susceptible individuals could be detected, but their specific role in resistance remains highly speculative. This study provides new information on the diversity of TLR genes within the P. nobilis species after MME and additional insights into adaptation to H. pinnae that should contribute to the conservation of this Mediterranean endemic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Coupé
- Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, MIOMarseilleFrance
| | | | - Maite Vázquez Luis
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO, CSIC), Centro Oceanográfico de BalearesPalma de MallorcaSpain
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Biomedical SciencesFabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna: University of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Mathieu Foulquié
- Université de Toulon, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, MIOMarseilleFrance
- Institut océanographique Paul RicardIle des Embiez, VarFrance
| | | | - Marco Casu
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Athanasios Lattos
- Faculty of Agricultural SciencesUniversity of Western MacedoniaKozaniGreece
| | - Basile Michaelidis
- Faculty of Agricultural SciencesUniversity of Western MacedoniaKozaniGreece
| | - Daria Sanna
- Department of Biomedical SciencesFabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna: University of SassariSassariItaly
| | - José Rafa García‐March
- IMEDMAR‐UCV, Institute of Environment and Marine Science ResearchUniversidad Católica de Valencia SVMCalpe, AlicanteSpain
| | - José Tena‐Medialdea
- IMEDMAR‐UCV, Institute of Environment and Marine Science ResearchUniversidad Católica de Valencia SVMCalpe, AlicanteSpain
| | - Nardo Vicente
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et Ecologie marine et continentale (IMBE), Aix‐Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, Avignon UniversitéAvignonFrance
| | - Robert Bunet
- Institut océanographique Paul RicardIle des Embiez, VarFrance
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lattos A, Papadopoulos DK, Giantsis IA, Feidantsis K, Georgoulis I, Karagiannis D, Carella F, Michaelidis B. Investigation of the highly endangered Pinna nobilis' mass mortalities: Seasonal and temperature patterns of health status, antioxidant and heat stress responses. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 188:105977. [PMID: 37043840 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recently, P. nobilis populations have suffered a tremendous reduction, with pathogens potentially playing a crucial role. Considering its highly endangered status, mechanisms leading to mass mortalities were examined in one or multiple pathogens infected populations. Thus, seasonal antioxidant enzymatic activities, hsp70 and catalase mRNA levels, were investigated in two different Greek populations, during mass mortality events in summer of 2020. Samples were collected from Fthiotis and Lesvos during February (ToC 14 ± 1.2 and 15 ± 1 respectively), April (ToC 18 ± 1.2 and 17 ± 1.3 respectively), and June (ToC 24.5 ± 1.5 and 21.5 ± 1.5 respectively) 2020. In July of the same year (ToC 26.5 ± 1.7 in Fthiotis and 24.5 ± 1.7 in Lesvos), no live specimens were found. All biochemical parameters and phylogenetic analysis suggest that pathogen infection increases P. nobilis sensitivity to water temperature, subsequently leading to mass mortality. The latter was obvious in Fthiotis individuals, in which Haplosporidium pinnae was also observed with Mycobacterium spp., compared to Lesvos individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Lattos
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios K Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis A Giantsis
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, GR-53100, Florina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Feidantsis
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgoulis
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Karagiannis
- National Reference Laboratory for Mollusc Diseases, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 7 Frixou Street, GR-54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Francesca Carella
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Complesso di MSA, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Basile Michaelidis
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Giorgio Tiscar P, Rubino F, Paoletti B, Di Francesco CE, Mosca F, Della Salda L, Hattab J, Smoglica C, Morelli S, Fanelli G. New insights about Haplosporidium pinnae and the pen shell Pinna nobilis mass mortality events. J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 190:107735. [PMID: 35247465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Since early autumn 2016, Mass Mortality Events (MME) have drastically impacted the population of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the Mediterranean Sea. Haplosporidium pinnae, a newly described Haplosporidian species, has been considered the causative agent of the mortality outbreaks in association to opportunistic bacterial pathogens. In the present study, we first reported a cytological description of H. pinnae in moribund specimens of P. nobilis which were collected in the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy) during summer 2018. Different life-cycle stages of the parasite, including uni- and binucleate cells, small plasmodia, big multinucleate plasmodia and sporocysts with spores, were detected in all the examined animals and most of the parasite cells were present in gills, mantle and digestive gland, while the spores were found only in the latter organ. Histology and molecular biology were also performed, confirming the nature of the infectious agent, as already reported in the area. Additionally, molecular study revealed the presence of the Mycobacterium ulcerans - M. marinum complex but no evident macroscopical or microscopical lesions, just as no bacteria referred to Mycobacterium were observed. In conclusion, the present study aimed to provide further contributions to the understanding of the mortality of P. nobilis, pointing on the role of the cytological method of investigation both for diagnostic and epidemiological purposes, and discussing about the current epidemic situation in the Adriatic sea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barbara Paoletti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano D'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Mosca
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano D'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Leonardo Della Salda
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano D'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Jasmine Hattab
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano D'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Camilla Smoglica
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano D'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano D'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Noble Pen Shell (Pinna nobilis) Mortalities along the Eastern Adriatic Coast with a Study of the Spreading Velocity. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9070764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Noble pen shells (Pinna nobilis) along the Eastern Adriatic coast were affected by mass mortalities similarly to the populations across the Mediterranean basin. Samples of live animals and organs originating from sites on Mljet Island on the south and the Istrian peninsula on the north of the Croatian Adriatic coast were analyzed using histology and molecular techniques to detect the presence of the previously described Haplosporidium pinnae and Mycobacterium spp. as possible causes of these mortalities. To obtain more information on the pattern of the spread of the mortalities, a study was undertaken in Mljet National Park, an area with a dense population of noble pen shells. The results of the diagnostic analysis and the velocity of the spread of the mortalities showed a significant correlation between increases in water temperature and the onset of mortality. Moderate to heavy lesions of the digestive glands were observed in specimens infected with H. pinnae. A phylogenetic analysis of the detected Haplosporidium pinnae showed an identity of 99.7 to 99.8% with isolates from other Mediterranean areas, while isolated Mycobacterium spp. showed a higher heterogeneity among isolates across the Mediterranean. The presence of Mycobacterium spp. in clinically healthy animals a few months before the onset of mortality imposes the need for further clarification of its role in mortality events.
Collapse
|