Meeting Abstract

39.1  Sunday, Jan. 5 08:00  Temperature mediated myoliquefaction: The effect of a myxozoan parasite Kudoa inornata on the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) SUNDQUIST, L.E.*; DE BURON, I.; MCELROY, E.J.; Harvard University, Boston MA; College of Charleston, SC; College of Charleston, SC Sundquist.luke@gmail.com

Myoliquefaction has been documented to soften the fillets of numerous teleost fish species, caused by infection of species of the myxosporean genus Kudoa. Fishermen reports of soft flesh in their catch and the discovery of K. inornata in spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, suggest that myoliquefaction may lead to decreased firmness over time in this infected species. Specimens of spotted seatrout (n=15) were collected from South Carolina estuaries by trammel fishing during June and July 2013 and examined under a light microscope for presence of K. inornata. Biopsies were removed from the epaxial muscle and compressed using a materials tester to evaluate fillet firmness at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 144 hours post-mortem. Prevalence of infection was 93% in wild fish, and force testing revealed significant flesh softening in wild fish compared to the aquaculture control group by 72 hours, and significantly higher firmness in unparasitized fish at all time points. Colder temperature treatments (4°C vs 10°C) also helped maintain firmness in all test groups.