Multiple Non-Species-Specific Pathogens Possibly Triggered the Mass Mortality in Pinna nobilis.

ABSTRACT: The fan mussel, Pinna nobilis, represents the largest bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2016, dramatic mass mortality of this species has been observed in several areas. The first surveys suggested that Haplosporidium pinnae (currently considered species-specific) was the main etiological agent, but recent studies have indicated that a multifactorial disease may be responsible for this phenomenon. In this study, we performed molecular diagnostic analyses on P. nobilis, P. rudis, and bivalve heterologous host species from the island of Sardinia to shed further light on the pathogens involved in the mass mortality. The results support the occurrence of a multifactorial disease and that Mycobacterium spp. and H. pinnae are not necessaril

SUBMITTER: Scarpa F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7650684 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature