First report of signs of infection by Coccomyxa-like algae in wild blue mussels,Mytilus spp., in the Gulf of Maine (USA,Maine) |
| |
| Authors: | Michael Zuykov Bassem Allam Michel Gosselin Philippe Archambault Graeme Spiers Michael Schindler |
| |
| Institution: | 1. School of the Environment, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada;2. School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA;3. Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada;4. Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada;5. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada |
| |
| Abstract: | In August 2019, visual inspection of intertidal zones of the Gulf of Maine (ME, USA) revealed young and adult wild blue mussels, Mytilus spp., in Alley Bay (Jonesport area) with the distinctive L-shaped shell deformity (LSSD) and green spots (GS) in the mantle and adductor muscle. LSSD is a characteristic sign of current or previous mussel infection by photosynthetic unicellular alga from the group Coccomyxa, while GS are algal colonies. Based on these findings, this study represents the first report of infection signs by pathogenic Coccomyxa-like algae in mussels from the coastal waters of the Northeastern United States, providing a base for future large scale monitoring of the alga in the region. |
| |
| Keywords: | algae Blue mussels Coccomyxa sp Gulf of Maine infection |
|
|
