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The yellow clam Amarilladesma mactroides (Deshayes, 1854) is considered a vulnerable species since the mid-1990s. Populations have experienced mass mortalities throughout their entire range of distribution (23-41°S) along exposed sandy beaches of Atlantic South America. Detrimental anthropogenic impacts have further contributed to failure of populations to make a recovery. To determine the factors involved in these events, density prior to a mortality event was calculated and live yellow clams encompassingmost of its geographic range distribution were analyzed histologically to describe parasites and pathologies. Moreover, moribund specimens were analyzed by molecular techniques to test for the presence of the virus OsHV-1. A mortality event was recorded after a maximum density of 127 clams/m2 was attained. No clear pattern was found between the prevalence and intensity of infection and localities, mortality events, or sampling season. Although OsHV-1 was not observed in any of the yellow clams tested, the possibility that another viral agent was implicated cannot be ruled out. The presence of bacteria of the genus Vibrio in combination with stress caused by a relatively high population density is suggested as the likely cause of these episodic mass mortalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disseminated neoplasia in cultured Mytilus chilensis (Mytilidae) from the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego Province) in southern Argentina has been detected for the first time. The disease is characterized by the infiltration of neoplastic cells with enlarged nuclei and high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic volume ratios. All specimens with disseminated neoplasia were female and exhibited gonadal atrophy in advanced stages of the disease. The high prevalence reported (13.3%) indicates an epizootic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the parasites and their respective pathologies in the stout razor clam, Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786) (Psammobiidae) from Argentinean coasts. It represents the first report about a histopathological survey for these species in the Southwestern Atlantic. Specimens of T. plebeius were collected at Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (37°46′S, 57°27′W) (n = 104 dissected under stereomicroscope, n = 28 histologically sectioned and microscopically examined) and from the mouth of the Quequén Salado River (38°56′S, 60°33′W) (n = 14 dissected under stereomicroscope). Tagelusplebeius was found housing two ciliate species without apparent host reaction and acting as first intermediate host for two digenetic trematode species of the families Fellodistomidae and Gymnophallidae, by hosting sporocysts (mainly in gonad and digestive gland that results in the replacement of host tissues) and as second intermediate host by housing a gymnophallid metacercaria. Likewise, T. plebeius was found parasitized by a larval spirurinae nematode encapsulated by hemocytes. The finding of two ciliate species, the gymnophallid cercaria and metacercaria, and the larval nematode represents the first record for the host. The Southwestern Atlantic populations of this clam seem to be devoid of serious pathogens in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of the histopathological study of mantle tissues of the commercial gcoduck Panopea abhreviaia hosting the neniertean Malacobdella arrokeana revealed that the normal histology of mantle tissues of the bivalve was not altered by the attachment structure of the nemertean, even when the maximum individuals per clam reached 191 nemerteans. However, the vacuum force generated by the nemertean sucker seems to elicit a slight mechanical stretching of epithelial cells and a negligible infiltration response affecting the connective tissue between inner and outer mantle epithelia beneath the point of attachment. The 99.4% bivalves examined (n = 657) hosted at least 1 specimen of M. arrokeana. Adult nemerteans were able to survive outside the host for up to 3 mo at 13°C. These results suggest that the relationship between M. arrokeana and P. abbreviata should be considered as a commensal rather than a parasitic relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]