title: A health status survey of clams, Mya arenaria and Ensis siliqua, in the Irish Sea.
abstract: The soft shell clam, Mya arenaria, and the razor clam, Ensis siliqua, are widely distributed in Irish waters. Though the reproductive biology and other aspects of the physiology of these species has been previously investigated, little or no data are currently available on their health status. As this knowledge is essential for correct management of a species, M. arenaria and E. siliqua were examined to assess their current health status using histological and molecular methods, over a period of sixteen months. No pathogens or disease were observed in M. arenaria, and low incidences of Prokaryote inclusions, trematode parasites, Nematopsis spp. and eosinophilic bodies were recorded in razor clams for the first time in Northern European waters.
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: maud.cross@ucc.ie.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Culloty
keywords: Ensis siliqua; Irish Sea; Mya arenaria; Nematopsis; Trematode