Gyrodactylus salmonis infection impairs the olfactory system of rainbow trout

Monogenean worms are ectoparasites that are known to be infectious to a wide variety of fish. Few species of monogenean parasites have been reported in the olfactory chamber of fish in current peer‐reviewed literature. However, the impacts of these parasites on the olfactory system are not well understood. In this study, the effects of Gyrodactylus salmonis on the olfactory system structure and performance were investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The olfactory performance of the infected fish was examined using an electro‐olfactography (EOG) technique, while the ultrastructure of the olfactory rosette was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The infected rainbow trout displayed reduced responses to two standard olfactory cues (L‐alanine and TCA). The SEM micrographs revealed that many regions of the olfactory epithelium in the infected fish were heavily pitted and the LM examination of the olfactory epithelium showed local proliferation of mucous cells in the sensory regions as compared to the control group. The results of this study demonstrated that G. salmonis causes physical damage to the olfactory system of fish that lead to olfactory impairment.     

The placement of Gyrodactylus salmonis (Yin & Sproston) in the molecular phylogeny of studied members of the Gyrodactylus wageneri‐group parasitizing salmonids

The molecular phylogeny of Gyrodactylus salmonis from brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis, rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, cutthroat trout, O. clarkii, and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in Canada is presented using sequences from ITS‐rDNA and the mitochondrial COX 1 gene. Sequence variation among G. salmonis specimens from the different North American hosts was consistent with within‐species variation reported for other Gyrodactylus. Sequence data are compared to those from other members of the wageneri group parasitizing salmoniform fishes in northern Europe (G. derjavini, G. derjavinoides, G. lavareti, G. salaris, G. salvelini, G. teuchis and G. truttae) and Asia (G. brachymystacis). Sequence divergence between G. salmonis and the recently described G. salvelini on Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in Finland was consistent with within‐species levels of variation in Gyrodactylus; however, phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons provided evidence of their distinctiveness such that they appear to be sister species. They grouped with G. lavareti (a parasite of a coregonid) to form a clade separate from European and Asian species of the wageneri lineage known from salmonid fish. Further study of gyrodactylids from across salmonid, coregonid and thymallid fish in the northern hemisphere would shed more light on the phylogeography of these parasites and serves as an important backdrop to understanding the evolution of their emergent virulence.     

Cajeput oil,an effective botanical against gyrodactylid infection

Infectious diseases are a major welfare issue, economically costly and, from a conservation perspective, threaten susceptible fish populations. Parasite control in aquaculture is over reliant on a limited range of treatments which tend to be low in efficacy, toxic to hosts and have negative consequences on human health and the environment. Here, we tested 22 botanical treatments alongside five controls against Gyrodactylus turnbulli (Harris 1986), in vitro and in vivo, infecting guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters 1859). Survival of detached parasites was significantly reduced by all treatments with cajuput oil, bay rum oil, bladderwrack, octanoic acid, pine tree oil and barberry killing worms instantly. In vivo, cajuput oil applied with emulsifier was as effective as a licensed livestock dewormer, Levamisole, which is not routinely prescribed for use in fish; hence, cajuput can be considered for further research to replace Levamisole in UK research laboratories as well as in ornamental aquaculture.     

Natural co‐infection of cultured Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus with Aeromonas hydrophila and Gyrodactylus cichlidarum experiencing high mortality during summer

Aeromonas hydrophila and Gyrodactylus cichlidarum are common pathogens that induce significant economic losses in farm‐reared Nile tilapia. Nowadays, the sudden appearance of fish mortalities was exaggerated due to mixed and multiple infections. During summer 2016, mass mortality among earthen pond‐farmed Nile tilapia was reported. Clinico‐pathological, bacteriological and parasitological examinations have been demonstrated. As well, the water quality parameters were assessed. The clinical and histopathological findings of the moribund and recently dead fish were characterized by generalized septicaemic signs. The water quality parameters were significantly elevated over the permissible levels, whereas there was an elevation in nitrite (0.04 mg/L), un‐ionized ammonia (0.8 mg/L), hydrogen sulphide levels (153.1 mg/L) and organic matter content (3.79 mg/L). A. hydrophila was identified based on phenotypic characterization, API 20E features and the homology of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. In addition, PCR data confirmed the presence of aerolysin (aerA) and haemolysin (hly) genes in the identified A. hydrophila isolates. Gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequence confirmed that A. hydrophila H/A (accession No. MN726928) of the present study displayed 98%–99% identity with the 16S rRNA gene of A. hydrophila. Furthermore, the monogenetic trematode, G. cichlidarum was identified in the wet mounts from the skin and gills of the examined fish with a high infestation rate. In this context, it was reported that the synergistic co‐infection of A. hydrophila and G. cichlidarum with deteriorated water quality parameters could induce exaggerated fish mortalities during hot weather.     

Molecular identification and distribution of mangrove oysters ( Crassostrea) in an estuarine ecosystem in Southeast Brazil: implications for aquaculture and fisheries management

This study investigated the existing species of Crassostrea in the natural environment, farming systems and artificial spat collectors at a protected estuarine area in Brazil, through PCR‐RFLP of mitochondrial 16S rRNA. Among 450 samples collected in the natural environment, 303 were C. brasiliana and 147 C. rhizophorae. Oysters present in the rocky subtidal zone were C. brasiliana. However, both species occurred on mangrove roots in the intertidal zone. Farm‐raised samples included only C. brasiliana. It was observed that attached specimens in commercial collectors had a banding pattern distinct from C. brasiliana and C. rhizophorae, indicating the presence of a third species in the estuary. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that these specimens are clustered with the oysters from Pacific and Indian Oceans, and genetically close to the oysters of Beihai, China (0.3% genetic distance). Oysters obtained from the seed capture showed 17.8% distance of in relation to C. brasiliana, 17.6% for C. rhizophorae and 10.3% for C. gigas, demonstrating high genetic divergence from these species. The occurrence of an exotic species in the Cananéia estuary may have strong ecological and economic implications which require new guidelines for farming, conservation and sustainable fisheries management for the native oyster species.     

额尔齐斯河三代虫种类研究及新纪录种记述

为探究额尔齐斯河水域中鱼类寄生三代虫的种类以及感染情况，给新疆水产业的发展及我国三代虫的研究提供基础资料，2009年8月至2014年8月选取额尔齐斯河的北屯镇、185团场、布尔津和哈巴河4个采样点，自捕或者从当地渔民处购买材料鱼，通过染色观察三代虫的形态特征，对其几丁质结构进行绘图、测量及比较，同时对不同种类三代虫的感染率、感染强度、感染丰度以及宿主专一性进行分析。结果表明，4个采样点共发现三代虫14种，其中丁 三代虫（Gyrodactylus tinca Malmberg，1957）、白斑狗鱼三代虫（Gyrodoctylus lucii Kulakowskaja，1951）、梭鲈三代虫（Gyrodoctylu luciopercae Gusev，1962）、马氏三代虫（Gyrodactylus markakulensis Gvosdev，1950）均是国内首次发现，为新纪录种；感染率最高的为鲤（Cyprinus carpio）（23．94％），最低的为河鲈（Perca fluviatilis）（0．74％），除东方欧鳊（Abramis brama orientalis）、散鳞镜鲤（Cyprinus carpio haematopterrus）和鲤外，其余的感染率均不超过10％；银鲫（Carassius auratus gibelio）、散鳞镜鲤和鲤为易感宿主，方均比（S2／X）都大于1，呈聚集分布；其余的小于1，呈均匀分布。三代虫宿主专一性较强，但有少数种类三代虫寄生2～4种宿主的情况，也存在同一宿主感染2～3种三代虫的现象，与单殖吸虫的宿主专一性基本一致。     

Germplasm differences among three species of genus Erythroculter based on morphological characters and gene sequences of mitochondrial CO I and Cyt b

Fish of genus Erythroculter (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Abramidinae) are important commercial freshwater species in China. In this work, morphological characters and gene sequences of mitochondrial CO I and Cyt b were analysed to investigate the germplasm differences among E. mongolicus, E. dabryi and E. ilishaeformis. Results demonstrated that about countable trait, there were six traits (scale in/ above/ below lateral line, gill‐raker in first left gill‐arch and branched fin‐ray in anal/ pectoral fin) showed significant differences. Gene fragments of CO I and Cyt b was 905 bps and 1,142 bps respectively. In CO I, there were 54.3% base content of A + T, 14 haplotypes and 84 nucleotide variable sites. As to Cyt b, there were 56.3% base content of A + T, 20 haplotypes and 142 nucleotide variable sites. In both CO I and Cyt b, the highest and lowest nucleotide diversity was detected in E. ilishaeformis and E. mongolicus respectively. According to morphological distance, genetic distance, genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) and gene flow, E. dabryi was grouped together with E. ilishaeformis firstly, and then clustered with E. mongolicus. These results might be useful in the conservation and management of fishery resources of these three species.     

Comparative assessment of Vibrio virulence in marine fish larvae

Vibrionaceae infections are a major obstacle for marine larviculture; however, little is known about virulence differences of Vibrio strains. The virulence of Vibrio strains, mostly isolated from vibriosis outbreaks in farmed fish, was tested in larval challenge trials with cod (Gadus morhua), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) using a multiwell dish assays with single‐egg/larvae cultures. The strains differed significantly in virulence as some caused a high mortality of larva reaching 100% mortality after a few days, while others had no or only marginal effects on survival. Some Vibrio strains were pathogenic in all of the larva species, while some caused disease only in one of the species. Twenty‐nine of the Vibrio anguillarum strains increased the mortality of larvae from at least one fish species; however, pathogenicity of the strains differed markedly. Other Vibrio species had no or less pronounced effects on larval mortalities. Iron uptake has been related to V. anguillarum virulence; however, the presence or absence of the plasmid pJM1 encoding anguibactin did not correlate with virulence. The genomes of V. anguillarum were compared (D. Castillo, P.W. D'Alvise, M. Middelboe & L. Gram, unpublished data) and most of the high‐virulent strains had acquired virulence genes from other pathogenic Vibrio.     

Microhabitat selection of Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg on different salmonids

The microhabitat selection of the ectoparasite Gyrodactylus salaris (Lærdalselva strain, Norway) was investigated concurrently with studies on the parasite population growth on five strains of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and a strain of Danish rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). The salmon used were hatchery‐reared parr of East Atlantic strains [River Conon (Scotland), River Storå (western Denmark) and River Ätran (western Sweden)] and Baltic strains [Lule and Ume (eastern Sweden)]. The location and numbers of parasites were recorded on anaesthetized fish once a week from week 0 to week 8. The mean abundance of G. salaris steadily increased to high levels on the River Conon, Storå and Ätran strains until the end of the experiment. The mean abundance of G. salaris on the two Baltic strains (River Lule älv and River Ume älv) initially increased but after 4–7 weeks the growth of the parasite infrapopulations decreased markedly. The Danish rainbow trout strain showed the lowest abundances of all the fish species and strains. Gyrodactylus salaris preferentially selected the fins and head region when colonising the hosts (all species and strains). Increasing percentages of G. salaris on the tail fins of the East Atlantic strains and rainbow trout were found during the course of infection, whereas the two Baltic salmon strains experienced a decreasing percentage of parasites in this microhabitat.