UGA Shellfish Laboratory

Home | Announcements | Fisheries | Aquaculture | Invasive Species | Histology & Histopathology | Publications | Adopt A Wetland| | Oyster Restoration | Education | Links|

Histology & Histopathology

Using histological techniques, the SRAL has described the gametogenic cycles of numerous native shellfish species:
the blood ark, Anadara ovalis;
the northern quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria;
the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica;
the ribbed mussel, Geukensia demissa;
the scorched mussel, Brachidontes exustus;
the southern surf clam, Spisula solidissima similis;
the marsh clam, Polymesoda caroliniana;
the horse oyster, Ostrea equestris;
the transverse ark, Anadara transversa;
the ponderous ark, Noetia ponderosa;
and introduced species such as the Atlantic surf clam, Spisula solidissima.

Current research is focused on the gametogenic cycles of:
the knobbed whelk, Busycon carica;
the channeled whelk, Busycotypus canaliculatus;
and the introduced asian clam, Corbicula fluminea

We have recently documented the occurrence, intensity and prevalence of the protozoan diseases Perkinsis marinus (Dermo) and Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) at 67 different oyster reefs throughout the Chatham County area. Further studies have identified high levels of dermo in oysters from the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve. These studies have merely provided snapshots of the current status of disease in Georgia's oysters. As a result a long-term dermo monitoring program has been initiated which will document the prevalence and intensity of the disease at certain locations along the Georgia coastline on a quarterly basis.