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Shell disease: abnormal conchiolin deposit in the abalone Haliotis tuberculata
Sylvain Huchette1, Christine Paillard, Jacques Clavier
1Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia. sylvain.huchette@wanadoo.fr
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
|April 14, 2006
Summary
Abalone shell disease presents as conchiolin deposits, similar to clam Brown Ring Disease (BRD). While BRD causes clam mortality, this abalone shell condition does not appear to cause death.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Aquaculture pathology
- Invertebrate zoology
Background:
- Shell disease in abalone (Haliotis tuberculata L.) is characterized by inner shell conchiolin deposits.
- Clinical signs resemble Brown Ring Disease (BRD) in clams, a significant cause of clam aquaculture collapse.
- BRD in clams is linked to Vibrio tapetis infection of the mantle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe shell disease in abalone (Haliotis tuberculata L.).
- To compare abalone shell disease with Brown Ring Disease (BRD) in clams.
- To investigate potential causes and contributing factors for shell disease in abalone.
Main Methods:
- Gross clinical examination of abalone shells.
- Comparison of clinical signs with known bivalve diseases.
- Correlation analysis between disease prevalence and abalone size/infestation levels.
Main Results:
- Abalone shell disease involves conchiolin deposits, mimicking clam BRD.
- Larger abalone are more affected.
- A positive correlation exists between shell disease and infestation by boring organisms (polychaetes, sponges).
Conclusions:
- The abalone shell disease, while similar in appearance to clam BRD, does not cause mortality in abalone.
- Boring organisms may act as disease vectors or increase abalone susceptibility.
- Further research is needed to identify the specific causative agent in abalone.
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