The “Bald Disease” of the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus: Pathogenicity, Molecular Identification of the Causative Agent and Therapeutic Approach

Author:

Federico Serena1,Glaviano Francesca23ORCID,Esposito Roberta13,Tentoni Enea4,Santoro Pasquale5,Caramiello Davide6,Costantini Maria1ORCID,Zupo Valerio2ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy

2. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Ischia Marine Centre, 80077 Ischia, Italy

3. Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy

4. Centro Ricerca Sperimentale APA-CT S.r.l., Via N. Sacco 22, 47122 Forlí, Italy

5. Diagnostica di Laboratorio (Di.Lab.) S.r.l., Via Beccadelli, 25, 80125 Napoli, Italy

6. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Department of Marine Animals Conservation and Public Engagement, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy

Abstract

In recent decades, various species of Mediterranean sea urchins, including Paracentrotus lividus, have been subject to widespread seasonal episodes of mass mortality whose causative agents are still unclear. In particular, P. lividus is subject to late winter events of mortality, due to a disease manifested by a massive loss of spines and the presence of greenish amorphous material on the tests (i.e., the sea urchin skeleton consisting of spongeous calcite). Documented mortality events show a seasonal epidemic diffusion and might produce economic losses also in aquaculture facilities, besides the environmental constraints to its diffusion. We collected individuals showing conspicuous lesions on the body surface and reared them in recirculated aquaria. Samples of external mucous were collected along with coelomic liquids and cultured to isolate bacterial and fungal strains, further submitted to molecular identification through the amplification of prokaryotic 16S rDNA. In addition, pools of infected sea urchins were reared in recirculated tanks after short baths in a formulated therapeutic compound and their survival rates were compared to non-treated individuals for variable periods. Here, we aimed at a redescription of the etiopathogenetic nature of the parasites and tested the efficacy of a possible treatment, to be proposed for aquaculture purposes.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Virology,Microbiology (medical),Microbiology

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