Marteilia
Encyclopedia
Marteilia is a genus of Rhizaria
. Species include Marteilia sydneyi and Marteilia refringens.
Marteilia refringens is a unicellular parasite affecting the digestive system of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis. Other species that can be infected include the Australian mud oyster
(O. angasi), the Argentinean oyster (O. puelchana), the Chilean flat oyster (O. chilensis), the blue mussel
(Mytilus edulis) and the Mediterranean mussel
(M. galloprovincialis). Early stages of the life cycle occur in the epithelia of the digestive ducts and possibly the gills of the host. Later the parasite migrates to the epithelial cells of the digestive tubules. There may be no symptoms of infection. The factors triggering a pathogenic response are unclear but may be related to environmental stress. The gross signs of marteiliosis include the visceral tissues losing their pigmentation and becoming pale yellow. In some cases the mantle become translucent and shell growth may cease. Affected shellfish can become emaciated and in heavy infections tissues appear shrunken and slimy. Mortality seems to be related to the sporulation of the parasite. The parasite was first observed in France in 1979 and has since spread to other countries in Europe.
Marteilia sydneyi is a parasite of the Sydney rock oyster
(Saccostrea glomerata) and causes QX disease. The parasite may be present without any signs being apparent. The gross signs of infection include colourless and translucent tissues because of resorption of the gonad and a pale yellow-brown digestive gland. The body may appear shrunken and in poor condition. Infections are found in the Asia Pacific regions and have been reported from Australia.
Rhizaria
The Rhizaria are a species-rich supergroup of unicellular eukaryotes. This supergroup was proposed by Cavalier-Smith in 2002. They vary considerably in form, but for the most part they are amoeboids with filose, reticulose, or microtubule-supported pseudopods...
. Species include Marteilia sydneyi and Marteilia refringens.
Marteilia refringens is a unicellular parasite affecting the digestive system of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis. Other species that can be infected include the Australian mud oyster
Ostrea angasi
The southern mud oyster or native flat oyster, Ostrea angasi, is endemic to southern Australia, ranging from Western Australia to southeast New South Wales and around Tasmania.-Diet:...
(O. angasi), the Argentinean oyster (O. puelchana), the Chilean flat oyster (O. chilensis), the blue mussel
Blue mussel
The blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae. In spite of its specific name edulis, it is not the sole edible Mytilus species.-Distribution:...
(Mytilus edulis) and the Mediterranean mussel
Mediterranean mussel
The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, also known as the bay mussel, blue mussel or Mittelmeer-Miesmuschel is a species of bivalve. It is a marine mollusc in the family Mytilidae.-Distribution:...
(M. galloprovincialis). Early stages of the life cycle occur in the epithelia of the digestive ducts and possibly the gills of the host. Later the parasite migrates to the epithelial cells of the digestive tubules. There may be no symptoms of infection. The factors triggering a pathogenic response are unclear but may be related to environmental stress. The gross signs of marteiliosis include the visceral tissues losing their pigmentation and becoming pale yellow. In some cases the mantle become translucent and shell growth may cease. Affected shellfish can become emaciated and in heavy infections tissues appear shrunken and slimy. Mortality seems to be related to the sporulation of the parasite. The parasite was first observed in France in 1979 and has since spread to other countries in Europe.
Marteilia sydneyi is a parasite of the Sydney rock oyster
Sydney rock oyster
The Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, formerly known as Saccostrea commercialis, is an oyster species endemic to Australia and New Zealand...
(Saccostrea glomerata) and causes QX disease. The parasite may be present without any signs being apparent. The gross signs of infection include colourless and translucent tissues because of resorption of the gonad and a pale yellow-brown digestive gland. The body may appear shrunken and in poor condition. Infections are found in the Asia Pacific regions and have been reported from Australia.