SUNY at Stony Brook
WEST 5510 FRK MEL LIB
STONY BROOK, NY 11794 631/632-9949
NSF Program(s):
BE-UF: ECOL OF INFECTIOUS DISE
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):
BIOT, 9183, 7242
Program Element Code(s):
7308
ABSTRACT
Pathogens cause many diseases of marine plants and animals, including those of molluscan shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters, scallops). Some of these diseases have resulted in catastrophic declines in shellfish populations leading to the erosion of ecological function and damage to fishery-based economies. Despite these impacts, little is known about the ecology of many marine pathogens, including the natural factors that facilitate their spread. Marine aggregates (also known as marine snow or flocs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment and range in size from microscopic to a few inches. Aggregates form by natural processes, are enriched with many types of microorganisms and tend to sink rapidly to the bottom. Consequently, bottom-dwelling shellfish are exposed to a steady supply of marine aggregates and the various microorganisms contained within. In this research, marine scientists from three institutions will combine field sampling, molecular biology, and transmission experiments to construct a model of the ecological role of aggregates in harboring and spreading shellfish pathogens.
Molluscan shellfish are both ecologically and economically important, and play key roles in ecosystem processes. This research will shed light on how pathogens encounter and invade shellfish by describing and modeling a potentially important and largely unknown path by which water-born pathogens could be transmitted. This work will lead to a better understanding of how marine diseases spread, and the potential impacts on important populations. The collaborative effort will unite the expertise of specialists in shellfish physiology and pathology, and ecological modeling to carry-out novel research, public outreach and multidisciplinary training of students in the identification and ecology of marine infectious diseases.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Allam, B., C. Paillard, and S. Ford.. "Abstract: Host-pathogen interactions at pallial interfaces.," J. Shellfish Res, v.24, 2005, p. 637.
Bugge, DM; Allam, B. "Effects of starvation and macroalgae extracts on the survival and growth of quahog parasite unknown (QPX)," JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY, v.348, 2007, p. 60-69.
Holohan, B. M.M. Lyons, J.E. Ward, R. Smolowitz, K. Uhlinger, J. Vallino, and B. Allam. "Abstract: Linking marine pathogens to molluscan shellfish: the ecological role of marine aggregates," J. Shellfish Res, v.25, 2006, p. 739.
Lyons, M. M., Y. Lau, W. E. Carden, J. E. Ward, S. B. Roberts, R. Smolowitz, J. Vallino, B. Allam. "Characteristics of marine aggregates in shallow-water ecosystems: Implications for disease ecology," Ecohealth, v.4, 2007, p. 406.
Ralph G., Ward J.E., Winnicki S.M., Carden W., Allam B., Holohan B. "Abstract: Development of experimental procedures for the investigation of the role of marine aggregates in the transmission of Perkinsus marinus in the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)," Journal of Shellfish Research, v.27, 2008, p. 1045.
Winnicki S., Carden W., Holohan B., Ralph G., Ward J.E., Allam B. "Abstract: Establishment of Perkinsus marinus in Crassostrea virginica: insights into the portal of entry and the potential role of marine aggregates in parasite acquisition," Journal of Shellfish Research, v.27, 2008, p. 1064.
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