ABSTRACT: In addition to Crassostrea gigas, Mikrocytos mackini Farley 1988, a pathogenic intracellular protistan of unknown taxonomic affiliations, produces disease and mortalities in other species of economically important oysters (Crassostrea virginica, Ostrea edulis and Ostrea conchaphila). Preliminary evidence suggests that these alternate species may be more susceptible to infection and the resulting disease than the usual host C. gigas. M. mackini isolated from C. virginica and O. edulis were infective for oysters. Warm temperatures (above 15°C) prevented the development of M. mackini in C. gigas, C. virginica and O. edulis.

KEY WORDS: Mikrocytos mackini · Crassostrea gigas · Crassostrea virginica · Ostrea edulis · Ostrea conchaphila · Protista · Denman Island disease · Infectivity

Published in DAO Vol. 29, No. 2 (1997) on May 22
ISSN: 0177-5103. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1997