Bonamia infection in native oysters (Ostrea edulis) in relation to European restoration projects

Hein Sas*, Brenda Deden, Pauline Kamermans, Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Bernadette Pogoda, Joanne Preston, Luke David Helmer, Zoë Holbrook, Isabelle Arzul, Tom van der Have, Antonio Villalba, Bérenger Colsoul, Alice Lown, Verna Merk, Nadescha Zwerschke, Emilie Reuchlin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

There is a growing effort throughout Europe to restore populations of native oysters (Ostrea edulis), with the ecological objective of enhancing ecosystem biodiversity and resilience.

The introduced parasite, Bonamia ostreae, caused catastrophic mortalities during the 1980s, furthering the decline of this species, and is now present throughout much of the natural range of O. edulis. It is therefore important that restoration attempts avoid further introduction and spread of this parasite, which can cause lethal infections of O. edulis.

This article presents a comprehensive overview of the scale and distribution of current infection, transmission pathways, and preventive measure guidelines, focusing on the seas, inlets, and estuaries of north‐west Europe, where most ecological restoration attempts for the native European oyster have occurred so far.

This is critical information for restoration project planning in which the risk of Bonamia infection must be taken into account.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2150-2162
Number of pages13
JournalAquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Volume30
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Nov 2020

Keywords

  • coastal
  • disease
  • invertebrates
  • restoration
  • subtidal

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