Severe mortality in mesocosm-reared sharpsnout sea bream Diplodus puntazzo larvae due to epitheliocystis infection.
This paper describes severe mortalities recorded in sharpsnout sea bream Diplodus puntazzo larvae reared in mesocosms. The mortalities were attributed to epitheliocystis infection. The pathology associated with the disease is described using histological techniques. Microscopical examination showed a massive infection of the skin, fins, and oral cavity, with impaired feeding, respiration, and osmoregulation being the most likely cause of death. This is the first report of epitheliocystis disease in sharpsnout sea bream and in fish at such an early developmental stage.
Katharios
Pantelis
P
Institute of Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, Heraklion 71003, Crete, Greece. katharios@her.hcmr.gr
Papadaki
Maria
M
Papandroulakis
Nikos
N
Divanach
Pascal
P
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D007814:Larva / Q000469:parasitology; D021541:Sea Bream / Q000469:parasitology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*