The complete mitochondrial genome of the oblong rockfish Sebastes oblongus (Scorpaenidae, Scorpaeniformes).

The complete mitogenome of the oblong rockfish Sebastes oblongus was constructed using next-generation sequencing. The full genome was 16,396 bp in length, including two rRNA, 22 tRNA, one control region and 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs). The genome consisted of 28.0% A, 26.4% T, 16.9% G and 28.6% C, showing a slight AT bias (54.4%). All PCGs contained an ATG start codon, excluding COX1 that contained a GTG. All PCGs contained the stop codon TAA, excluding ND3 (TAG stop codon) and Cytb (incomplete termination codon, T). All tRNAs contained the typical clover leaf structure, except for two tRNAs, serine (AGY) and threonine, which lacked the DHU arm. The complete mitogenome of S. oblongus will contribute to genetic analysis of the effective population size for aquaculture.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sebastes pachycephalus (Scorpaenidae, Scorpaeniformes) from the East Sea, Korea.

Due to variations in coloration as well as other morphological features, the identification of Sebastes pachycephalus has been problematic. The complete mitogenome of S. pachycephalus was acquired using next-generation sequencing. The full genome was 16,415 base pairs (bp) in length, assembling two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, one control region and 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs). The genome constitutes 27.9% A, 26.3% T, 17.2% G and 28.5% C, showing a slight AT bias (54.2%). All PCGs start with an ATG initial codon except COX1, which contains GTG. Most PCG stop codons were TAA, except for ND1 and ND3 (TAG) and Cytb (incomplete termination codon, T). All tRNAs showed the typical cloverleaf structure, except tRNA(Ser(AGY)), which lacks the DHU arm. The complete mitogenome of S. pachycephalus will help further identification and speciation analyses.

First report of Urosporidium sp., a haplosporidian hyperparasite infecting digenean trematode Parvatrema duboisi in Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum on the west coast of Korea.

In this study, we first report on the occurrence of Urosporidium sp., a haplosporidian hyperparasite infecting the trematode, Parvatrema duboisi, which parasitizes Manila clams, Ruditapes philippinarum on the west and south coasts of Korea. The larval P. duboisi infected by the sporocyst stage of Urosporidium sp. demonstrated numerous small yellowish spores in their tissues. The heavily infected metacercariae exhibited degenerate bodies and the larvae were often motionless. Clams heavily infected by the metacercariae of P. duboisi also displayed abnormal golden spots on the mantle tissue. In histology, different life stages of Urosporidium sp. could be identified, including the uni-nucleate, plasmodial, sporogonic stages and the acid fast mature spores released from the cyst. In scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the mature spore exhibited a semi-circular rim around the apical end and the orifice was covered internally with a flap. Loop-like filaments ornamentation was also identified from Urosporidium sp. in SEM, suggesting that Urosporidium sp. found in this study is a new member in the genus. Prevalence of Urosporidium sp.-infected trematodes in this study ranged from 2.5% to 24.0% in April 2010 and the infection was observed from 8 sampling sites out of the 26 sites surveyed on the west and south coasts.

Isolation and identification of Perkinsus olseni from feces and marine sediment using immunological and molecular techniques.

Molecular and immunological probes were used to identify various life stages of Perkinsus olseni, a protozoan parasite of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, from a marine environment and decomposing clam tissue. Western blotting revealed that the antigenic determinants of the rabbit anti-P. olseni antibody developed in this study were peptides with molecular masses of 55.9, 24.0, and 19.2kDa. Immunofluorescent assay indicated that the rabbit anti-P. olseni IgG was specific to all life stages, including the prezoosporangium, trophozoite, and zoospore. Perkinsus olseni prezoosporangium-like cells were successfully isolated from marine sediment collected from Hwangdo on the west coast of Korea, where P. olseni-associated clam mortality has recurred for the past decade. Purified cells were positively stained with the rabbit anti-P. olseni antibody in an immunofluorescence assay, confirming for the first time the presence of P. olseni in marine sediment. Actively replicating zoospores inside the prezoosporangia were observed in the decomposing clam tissue collected from Hwangdo. P. olseni was also isolated from the feces and pseudofeces of infected clams and confirmed by PCR. The clams released 1-2 prezoosporangia per day through feces. The data suggested that the fecal discharge and decomposition of the infected clam tissue could be the two major P. olseni transmission routes.