Work

Physiological Impacts of a Newly Discovered Trematode Parasite on Its Host, the Bay Scallop ( Argopecten irradians )

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Parasites have the potential to impact aquaculture by degrading product quality, increasing mortality, and reducing fecundity. Previous research has identified a novel trematode parasite, Saccularina sp., infecting the gills of wild and cultured populations of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians , that inhabit the North Carolina coast and the Gulf Coast of Florida. However, the physiological impacts of Saccularina sp. on its scallop host are currently unknown. We quantified the effects of Saccularina sp. infection on clearance rate (an indicator of feeding potential), condition, and reproduction. Visually (to the naked eye) infected bay scallops exhibited lower clearance rates, had smaller muscle and gonad weights relative to shell size, and showed reduced fecundity compared to their visually uninfected counterparts. However, when scallops spawned successfully, there was no significant difference between visually infected and visually uninfected scallops in the proportion of embryos developing into D‐stage larvae. Overall, this study shows that Saccularina sp. reduces the metabolic energy available to A. irradians , resulting in decreased size, meat yield, and fecundity, with negative implications for aquaculture and presently‐depleted wild populations of bay scallops.

Source: Ecology and Evolution

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.73389

Authors: Hailea F. H. Boggess, Connor R. Brainard, Brian Smith, Ami E. Wilbur, Julia C. Buck

Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington

Language: English

Topic: Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,570