Deleterious effect of Chattonella marina on short-necked clam (Ruditapes philippinarum); possible involvement of reactive oxygen species

Abstract

In laboratory exposure experiments, Chattonella marina showed a deleterious effect on short-necked clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). Accumulated C. marina cells were observed in gill tissues of the clams exposed to C. marina. Immunohistochemical analysis using antiserum against the crude glycocalyx of C. marina suggested that the glycocalyx was present on the gill surface. Mucus substances prepared from gill tissue of the clams stimulated C. marina to generate increased amounts of O2- in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated gill tissue damage is one of the causative factors responsible for the harmful effect of C. marina on shellfish.