A histopathological study of the geoduck clam Panopea abbreviata from San José Gulf, North Patagonia, Argentina

What is it about?

This manuscript was performed to determine the health status of the geoduck Panopea abbreviata in the San José and San Matías Gulfs (North Patagonia, Argentina). The histopathological study revealed the presence of six parasites taxa infecting natural populations of P. abbreviata. The highest mean parasitic abundance value was found in the late austral spring (November), coinciding with the lowest values of the condition index of the host. The populations of P. abbreviata from San Jose´ Gulf seemed to be devoid of severe pathogens.

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Why is it important?

This manuscript was the first study regarding the health status of the important commercial geoduck Panopea abbreviata, describing the parasites and pathologies and studing the host-parasites relationships. We investigated how the presence of parasites and the parasitic abundance are influenced by some environmental and biological variables (water temperature, sex, gonad developmental stages, shell length and condition index of the geoduck). The results obtained constitute a very important tool for the fisherman of the region and for potential culture attempts.