Prevalence and density of Perkinsus marinus in Crassostrea virginica from Murrells Inlet and North Inlet, SC.
Presentation Type
Presentation
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Juliana Harding, Marine Science
Major
Marine Science
Presentation Abstract
Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) host parasites including Perkinsus marinus that infect oyster hemocytes causing emaciation which potentially reduces filtration within estuaries. Dermo, the disease, caused by P. marinus reduces oyster growth and fecundity and increases seasonal oyster mortality. Dermo activity increases at water temperatures above 25°C and salinities greater than 25 psu. This research quantifies seasonal P. marinus prevalence and density in Murrells Inlet and North Inlet oysters collected from December 2020 to December 2022. Oysters (n>5) were collected at least quarterly from subtidal populations. Oyster shell length (mm) was measured when mantle tissue samples were removed, weighed (g), and incubated and examined to describe parasite prevalence and density. Individual parasites were counted with a compound microscope to quantify parasite density per oyster. Prevalence (p= # of infected individuals/# of individuals in a sample) was generally lower in the late spring as water temperatures started to increase. Generally, parasite densities at both sites increased with increasing water temperatures and salinity. Observed trends in parasite density will be discussed in relation to oyster shell length (mm), water temperature, and collection sites.
Start Date
11-4-2023 9:20 AM
End Date
11-4-2023 9:40 AM
Disciplines
Oceanography
Recommended Citation
Mouer, Nora, "Prevalence and density of Perkinsus marinus in Crassostrea virginica from Murrells Inlet and North Inlet, SC." (2023). Undergraduate Research Competition. 12.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2023/fullconference/12
Prevalence and density of Perkinsus marinus in Crassostrea virginica from Murrells Inlet and North Inlet, SC.
Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) host parasites including Perkinsus marinus that infect oyster hemocytes causing emaciation which potentially reduces filtration within estuaries. Dermo, the disease, caused by P. marinus reduces oyster growth and fecundity and increases seasonal oyster mortality. Dermo activity increases at water temperatures above 25°C and salinities greater than 25 psu. This research quantifies seasonal P. marinus prevalence and density in Murrells Inlet and North Inlet oysters collected from December 2020 to December 2022. Oysters (n>5) were collected at least quarterly from subtidal populations. Oyster shell length (mm) was measured when mantle tissue samples were removed, weighed (g), and incubated and examined to describe parasite prevalence and density. Individual parasites were counted with a compound microscope to quantify parasite density per oyster. Prevalence (p= # of infected individuals/# of individuals in a sample) was generally lower in the late spring as water temperatures started to increase. Generally, parasite densities at both sites increased with increasing water temperatures and salinity. Observed trends in parasite density will be discussed in relation to oyster shell length (mm), water temperature, and collection sites.