Pathogenic effects of Vibrio alginolyticus on larvae and postlarvae of the red abalone Haliotis rufescens

Abstract

The pathogenicity of Vibrio alginolyticus on Haliotis rufescens veliger larvae and 4 d old postlarvae was tested in small-scale static bioassays with different bacterial concentrations (102 to 106 cells ml-1. Larval and postlarval survival were evaluated at 24 and 48 h. Results suggest that V. alginolyticus can cause massive mortality in larvae of H. rufescens within 24 h at concentrations above 105 cell ml-1, while a concentration of 106 cell ml-1 is required to produce the same effect in abalone postlarvae. The potential application of these results to hatchery conditions is discussed.