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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #282703
Title: Ameliorating the effects of the digenetic trematode, Bolbophorus damnificus on the channel catfish industry

Author
item KHOO, LESTER - Mississippi State University
item WISE, DAVID - Mississippi State University
item POTE, LINDA - Mississippi State University
item Mitchell, Andrew
item BYARS, TODD - Mississippi State University
item YOST, MARLENA - Mississippi State University
item DOFFITT, CYNTHI - Mississippi State University
item DORR, BRIAN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item GEORGE, BARBARA - Mississippi State University
item KING, TOMMY - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item HANSON, TERRILL - Auburn University
item TUCKER, CRAIG - Mississippi State University
item GREENWAY, TERRANCE - Mississippi State University
item GRIFFIN, MATTHEW - Mississippi State University
item CAMUS, ALVIN - University Of Georgia
item PANUSKA, CARLA - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Bridging America and Russia with Shared Perspectives on Aquatic Animal Health
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2011
Publication Date: 8/1/2011
Citation: Khoo, L.H., Wise, D.J., Pote, L.M., Mitchell, A.J., Byars, T.S., Yost, M.C., Doffitt, C.M., Dorr, B.S., George, B.A., King, T., Hanson, T.R., Tucker, C.S., Greenway, T.E., Griffin, M.J., Camus, A.C., Panuska, C.C. 2011. Ameliorating the effects of the digenetic trematode, Bolbophorus damnificus on the channel catfish industry. Bridging America and Russia with Shared Perspectives on Aquatic Animal Health. p. 237-242.

Interpretive Summary: The history of the problem of digenetic trematode Bolbophorus damnificus and its effects on the channel catfish are elucidated in the manuscript. The manuscript also describes the basic and applied research that has been undertaken to understand the pathobiology of this trematode as well as its intermediate and final host.

Technical Abstract: In the middle to late 1990s, an emerging digenetic trematode problem was recognized in the channel catfish industry. Morphologic and molecular analysis identified the culprit as Bolbophorus damnificus. The American Ehite Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos serves as the definitive host, while the marsh rams-horn snail, (Planorbella trivolvis) is the first intermediate host. Diagnosis of an infection involves identifying the metacercariae in the subcutaneous tissues. Infestations can be life threatening to catfish fingerlings but the proximate cause of mortality has not been ascertained. They may also predispose fingerlings to secondary infections. Larger fish do not usually succumb to the infestation, but have poor production thus posing significant economic losses. Current methods of control (biological and chemical) have centered on eradication of the snail host. Chemical control includes shoreline treatments using copper sulfate or hydrated lime. This information is a result of multi-institutional and multidisciplinary efforts that have been expended to identify and explore the pathobiology of the parasite as well as its intermediate and final host.