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Distribution And Impact Of The Oyster Parasite Bonamia Ostreae In Maine, And Its Detection Using Dna Probes, Ryan Carnegie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Health management efforts in Maine related to the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) parasite Bonamia ostreae are limited by a lack of knowledge of the parasite’s distribution and impact in both wild and cultured populations. This information would be more readily obtainable with improved diagnostic tools. The objectives of this dissertation were to design sensitive and specific DNA probes for detection of B. ostreae; to assess the prevalence and intensity of parasite infections in wild oyster populations in Maine; and to evaluate growth and mortality of cultured oysters in the Damariscotta River, where B. ostreae is enzootic. A polymerase …