Dataset Detail
Dataset: Controlled exposure of fry to M. cerebralis TAMs
| Project: Distribution and Seasonal Occurrence of Myxobolus cerebralis in the Lostine River, Oregon | |
| Dataset Abstract: Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon fry were subjected to a controlled exposure of 200 and 2,000 triactinomyxons (TAMs) for two hours. After exposure, a subsample of Chinook salmon and rainbow trout fry were held for five months. A subset were sampled by PCR. A separate subset of each was analyzed with histopathology (lesion scores), and spore counts were completed. | |
| Significance of Results: Following a controlled exposure, both species became infected. As expected, the rainbow trout were more susceptible to infection and had a higher disease severity than the Chinook salmon. In addition, a higher TAM exposure level (2,000 vs. 200) led to higher prevalences and severity of infection (no Chinook salmon became infected following exposure at 200 TAMs). This suggests that in the natural exposure part of this research, the sentinel fry were receiving TAM exposures greater than 200/fish, although actual parasite levels in the Lostine have not been determined. | |
| Relevance to Managers: These data indicate that resident juvenile Chinook salmon are susceptible to infection at high levels of exposure (~2,000 TAMs/fish for 2 hours). | |
| Utility to Researchers: These data may be useful in a risk assessment of whirling disease impacts on anadromous salmonids in this region. | |
| Questions Generated: Do Chinook salmon infected as juveniles serve as carriers for the parasite, potentially spreading the infection into other nearby watersheds via straying? What are the levels of the parasite (TAMs) in the water during the season when anadromous fry are present (this can now be determined via QPCR)? | |
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