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Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
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DAO 109:257-261 (2014)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02736

NOTE
Aspergillosis in the common sea fan Gorgonia ventalina: isolation of waterborne hyphae and spores

Victoria J. Troeger1, Paul W. Sammarco1,2,*, John H. Caruso1 

1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, USA
2Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), 8124 Highway 56, Chauvin, Louisiana 70344, USA
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: The octocoral disease aspergillosis is caused by the terrestrial fungus Aspergillus sydowii. The possibility of secondary (horizontal) transmission of aspergillosis among common sea fans Gorgonia ventalina would require waterborne transmission of hyphae and/or spores. A laboratory filtration experiment confirmed that fungal hyphae and spores were shed into the water by infected fans. This suggests that secondary infection might be possible in this species. It remains to be determined whether healthy fans actually develop aspergillosis after contact with hyphae-laden water.


KEY WORDS: Aspergillosis · Sea fan · Gorgonia ventalina · Gorgonian · Secondary transmission · Hyphae · Spores · Aspergillus sydowii · Octocoral · Disease


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Cite this article as: Troeger VJ, Sammarco PW, Caruso JH (2014) Aspergillosis in the common sea fan Gorgonia ventalina: isolation of waterborne hyphae and spores. Dis Aquat Org 109:257-261. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02736

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Published in DAO Vol. 109, No. 3. Online publication date: July 03, 2014
Print ISSN: 0177-5103; Online ISSN: 1616-1580
Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research.
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