Microcell parasites of molluscs: introduction to DAO Special 7

Abstract

First discovered decades ago, microcell protistan parasites of the genera Bonamia and Mikrocytos remain relevant today for their economic impacts on growing molluscan aquaculture industries and fisheries. Bonamia parasites have received more attention over the years in part because they are more widespread and thus of wider concern, but there has been renewed interest in Mikrocytos recently with the generation of important new findings. Among these has been the surprising observation that Mikrocytos has phylogenetic affinities to the Rhizaria, which includes the haplosporidian protists and the genus Bonamia.

Rapid transmission of Bonamia exitiosa by cohabitation causes mortality in Ostrea angasi

“…Bonamia spp. occur in both hemispheres (Carnegie & Engelsma, ), and a Bonamia sp. infection was first reported in Australia in O. angasi in 1991 (Hine & Jones, ).…”