Parasite survey of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in coastal lagoons of the southern Gulf of Mexico.

A parasitological study of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica from 11 coastal lagoons in the southern Gulf of Mexico in dry and rainy seasons between late 1999 and early 2001 revealed the presence of 36 bacterial, 2 protozoan (Nematopsis prytherchi and Perkinsus marinus), and 4 helminth species (Urastoma cyprinae, Proctoeces maculatus, a Bucephalus sp., and a Tylocephalum sp.). The prevalence and mean abundances for the protozoa and helminths varied widely between locations but were generally below 50%. Nematopsis prytherchi and the Tylocephalum sp. were the most prevalent species (values were above 60% in most locations). Perkinsus marinus was present in oysters of eight of the coastal lagoons and had low prevalence (<30%) in almost all samples. All identified protozoa and helminths are widely distributed in the Gulf of Mexico and are common oyster parasites. Only P. marinus and the Bucephalus sp. were associated with damage to host tissues. In addition to these parasites, Rickettsia-like bacteria were found in the digestive gland and gills and viral gametocytic hypertrophy inclusions in the gonads by histological examination.