The summer mortality syndrome and haemocytic neoplasia in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from British Columbia / by S.M. Bower. : Fs97-6/1703E-PDF

"In an attempt to identify the cause of the high summer mortalities in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) over 4 cm in shell length, about 2,000 mussels from 6 locations in British Columbia were examined for haemocytic neoplasia, as well as other infectious diseases. This study consisted of 7 separate investigations comprising 3 field and 4 laboratory studies. The field studies were designed to: 1) monitor mortality and haemocytic neoplasia in mussels from Departure Bay that usually experience over 90% mortality each summer, 2) examine the prevalence of haemocytic neoplasia in mussels from 3 localities that had undergone reciprocal transplants 6 months prior to examination, and 3) periodically examine the prevalence of haemocytic neoplasia in mussels held in pearl nets at 5 localities over a 10 month period. The 4 laboratory studies were designed to examine: 1) the effect of different temperatures and salinities on survival and prevalence of haemocytic neoplasia in mussels during the winter months, 2) the effect of temperature on survival and haemocytic neoplasia in small and large mussels during the summer months, 3) the infectivity of haemocytic neoplasia using syringe passage, and 4) the DNA content of haemocytes from mussels with haemocytic neoplasia. The compiled results indicated that haemocytic neoplasia is an infectious and lethal disease for mussels. However, there was no correlation between the prevalence of this condition and the summer mortality syndrome. There was no other pathogen identified that could account for the summer mortality syndrome. It was concluded that blue mussels in British Columbia have a relatively short life cycle and haemocytic neoplasia is one of the manifestations of senescence. Haemocytic neoplasia may also occur in smaller mussels that are not senescent but under stress, due to factors such as low food availability, as observed in the small mussels held at different temperatures in the laboratory for 175 days. Despite the high summer mortalities at some localities, mussel culture has the potential of becoming a viable industry in British Columbia. Profitability for mussel culture will depend on the selection of an appropriate locality for the culture facility, applying innovative culture techniques, and developing new marketing strategies"--Abstract, page iii.

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