Mycotic Periostracal Sloughing of Mussels
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Category
Category 4 (Negligible Regulatory Significance in Canada)
Common, generally accepted names of the organism or disease agent
Mycotic periostracal sloughing of mussels, MPS.
Scientific name or taxonomic affiliation
Unidentified fungus.
Geographic distribution
A few locations on the coasts of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Host species
Mytilus edulis.
Impact on the host
Affected shells exhibit brown discolouration associated with sloughing of the periostracum. Mussel farmers and processors have expressed concern that MPS may affect marketability.
Diagnostic techniques
Gross Observations
Brown discolouration of the shell and possible evidence of sloughing of the periostracum.
Wet Mounts
Presence of fungal hyphae beneath the remaining periostracum of affected mussels.
Electron Microscopy
Fungal hyphae associated with the periostracum of affected mussels.
Methods of control
Concerns about the possibility of transferring MPS with mussel culture activities should be addressed through research efforts to understand the disease, identify the fungus involved, determine its current distribution and assess if the condition can be controlled or circumvented.
References
Moret, K., K. Williams, C. Couturier and J. Parsons. 1999. Newfoundland cultured mussel (Mytilus edulis) industry 1997 health survey. Bulletin of the Aquaculture Association of Canada 99-3: 35-37.
Citation Information
Bower, S.M. (2004): Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish: Mycotic Periostracal Sloughing of Mussels.
Date last revised: June 2004
Comments to Susan Bower
- Date modified: