The use of diagnostic radiology to detect shell irregularities in the New Zealand paua (abalone) Haliotis iris.
A method is described for the non-destructive, non-invasive, detection of shell lesions in the New Zealand paua, a marine gastropod Haliotis iris using diagnostic radiology. The X-ray method reliably detected the presence of shell lesions in 96% of the cases examined once lesion dimensions exceeded 6.2 x 7.1 mm. The extent of lesions above this size can be reliably and accurately determined from X-ray images viewed on a video display unit (VDU). Biofouling on the outside of the shell can cause misdiagnoses. This method is a significant animal welfare refinement in the identification of marine gastropods with shell lesions, when compared with traditional techniques which kill the animals.
Schofield
J C
JC
Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. jschofield@1as.otago.ac.nz
Grindley
R M
RM
Keogh
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D016288:Computer Terminals; D008974:Mollusca / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009520:New Zealand; D011859:Radiography / Q000662:veterinary*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results