Parasites of the Pleasure Oyster Crassostrea corteziensis Cultured in Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract

The pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis is collected and cultured in Nayarit on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and the improvement and promotion of its culture are seen as a possible source for the economic development of coastal populations. However, information about the parasite fauna of the pleasure oyster is almost completely lacking. A histopathological survey carried out in two estuaries, Boca del Camichín and Pozo Chino, revealed the presence of hypertrophied gametes, rickettsiales-like prokaryotes (RLPs), the protozoan Perkinsus marinus, a protozoan Nematopsis sp., Ancistrocoma-like ciliates (ALCs), Sphenophrya-like ciliates, a turbellarian Urastoma sp., and encysted crustaceans. In general, prevalence and intensity of parasites were similar in both localities except that ALCs and encysted crustaceans were more prevalent in Pozo Chino than in Boca del Camichín. Perkinsus marinus and RLPs seem to represent a more significant risk for the health of pleasure oysters than do the other parasites, and surveillance and control of these parasites are needed for the development of pleasure oyster culture.

Health assessment of the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae on the southern coast of Bahia, northeastern Brazil

“…These organisms can also be found, apart from digestive tubules (primary and secondary, as recorded in the present study) in the epithelium of the intestine and stomach (CÁCERES-MARTÍNEZ et al, 2010), as reported by Sabry et al (2011), who observed changes in the gastric epithelium affected. The results of this study also resemble those found by Boehs et al (2010) in M. guyanensis, with the occurrence of these bacteria in the same anatomical region and low prevalence and degree of infection; and by Pontinha (2009 and Ceuta and Boehs (2012), in C. gigas, C. rhizophorae and M. guyanensis, respectively, with the occurrence of hypertrophy of cells infected by RLOs.…”

Growth, mortality and susceptibility of oyster Crassostrea spp. to Perkinsus spp. infection during on growing in northeast Brazil

“…These results suggest that, when two susceptible host species are present, the progression of the two Perkinsus species can be modified in order to favor parasite progression in the most susceptible oyster species. Despite the knowledge that P. marinus causes outbreaks in C. virginica oysters from the East Coast of the USA (BURRESON & RAGONE-CALVO, 1996), P. marinus was not associated with mortality in other susceptible oyster species (Crassostrea and Saccostrea) (CÁCERES-MARTÍNEZ et al, 2010MOSS et al, 2008).…”

Natural and cultured populations of the mangrove oyster Saccostrea palmula from Sinaloa, Mexico, infected by Perkinsus marinus

“…Production of C. corteziensis now approaches 2000 metric tons/year (Cáceres-Martínez et al, 2010). While there have been some attempts to grow S. palmula (Baqueiro, 1984), culture of this oyster is still nascent and generally co-occurs with that of C. corteziensis.…”