Meeting Abstract

P1-27   -   The Presence, Intensity, and Impact of Perkinsus marinus and Haplosporidium nelsoni on Oyster Populations Along the Georgia Coast Batchelor, SL*; Harrison, JS; Carroll, J; Greiman, SE; Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA; Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA; Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA; Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA sb33111@georgiasouthern.edu

Crassostrea virginica, commonly known as the Eastern Oyster, is an ecologically important species that plays a role in protecting shorelines, water filtration, and provides habitats and food for various fish species. Perkinsus marinus (Dermo disease) and Haplosporidium nesloni (MSX disease) are two pathogens currently affecting oyster populations, causing mass mortality events all along the East coast. These parasites greatly diminish the health of oysters, resulting in the degradation of oyster tissue, reduction in growth and reproductive ability, and most times cause death. In this study, wild oysters were collected from eleven locations along the Georgia coast to investigate the presence, intensity, and impact these pathogens have on the health of local populations. The health (or condition index) of each oyster was calculated during processing, and qPCR was used to determine the presence and intensity of both P. marinus and H. nelsoni. Preliminary data shows that >90% of oysters tested were infected by one or both pathogens. H. nelsoni was present in >83% of samples and was responsible for 30% of standalone infections, while P. marinus was found in 61% of individuals but only responsible for 8% of stand-alone infections. Genetic variation within and among sampling locations was also assessed using 20 microsatellite loci. Fine-scale population structure was detected but there does not appear to be a relationship between generic variation and susceptibility to disease.