Interesting research at the Newport Aquarium:
From: Drum and Croaker 37 (2006) 64
Dinoflagellates and Marine Head and Lateral Line Erosion
Michelle Fry, Newport Aquarium
Marine Head and Lateral Line Erosion (MHLLE) was found affecting fish in the Coral Reef Tunnel exhibit at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky. While investigating the link between a vitamin A and C deficiency in the diet and MHLLE, an unidentified dinoflagellate was found. The dinoflagellate exists in association with a marine sponge, protista and other invertebrates and has proven difficult to isolate. The dinoflagellate forms cysts and is resilient to known disease treatments.
The experiment conducted at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) consisted of 3 control saltwater tanks (containing 1 healthy brown sailfin tangs, Zebrasoma scopas) and 5 experimental saltwater tanks (containing 1 healthy Z. scopas and the dinoflagellate). Visual assessments using a 35 ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ millimeter camera were used to determine the progression of the disease, while a compound microscope was used to determine if the dinoflagellate was present. In addition, skin scrapes of all the fish were conducted to determine if the dinoflagellate was parasitic.
Dry red marine algae (their diet during the experiment) was compared to the dry green marine algae (their diet at the Newport Aquarium) to determine if the dinoflagellate was present in the food. While the dry red marine algae fed in this experiment did not contain the dinoflagellate, the dry green marine algae used as a comparison did. [LEE's NOTE: Are we introducing this dinoflagellate into our aquariums when we feed our tangs marine algae?] This suggests a possible way for the dinoflagellate to enter into an enclosed aquarium system.
All of the Z. scopas exposed to the dinoflagellate did exhibit signs of MHLLE. Early scanning electron photomicrographs have been obtained, but an exact identification of the dinoflagellate has yet to be made. Due to the lack of dinoflagellates found in the skin scrapes, we suggest the release of a toxin by the dinoflagellate and not a parasitic dinoflagellate was the cause of MHLLE. However, water samples that were taken from the tanks are still being analyzed for the presence of a toxin. The results thus far suggest there is a link between the dinoflagellate and MHLLE; however the exact mechanism is still uncertain and the species of dinoflagellate has yet to be determine, the experiment is on going.
From: Drum and Croaker 37 (2006) 64
Dinoflagellates and Marine Head and Lateral Line Erosion
Michelle Fry, Newport Aquarium
Marine Head and Lateral Line Erosion (MHLLE) was found affecting fish in the Coral Reef Tunnel exhibit at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky. While investigating the link between a vitamin A and C deficiency in the diet and MHLLE, an unidentified dinoflagellate was found. The dinoflagellate exists in association with a marine sponge, protista and other invertebrates and has proven difficult to isolate. The dinoflagellate forms cysts and is resilient to known disease treatments.
The experiment conducted at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) consisted of 3 control saltwater tanks (containing 1 healthy brown sailfin tangs, Zebrasoma scopas) and 5 experimental saltwater tanks (containing 1 healthy Z. scopas and the dinoflagellate). Visual assessments using a 35 ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ millimeter camera were used to determine the progression of the disease, while a compound microscope was used to determine if the dinoflagellate was present. In addition, skin scrapes of all the fish were conducted to determine if the dinoflagellate was parasitic.
Dry red marine algae (their diet during the experiment) was compared to the dry green marine algae (their diet at the Newport Aquarium) to determine if the dinoflagellate was present in the food. While the dry red marine algae fed in this experiment did not contain the dinoflagellate, the dry green marine algae used as a comparison did. [LEE's NOTE: Are we introducing this dinoflagellate into our aquariums when we feed our tangs marine algae?] This suggests a possible way for the dinoflagellate to enter into an enclosed aquarium system.
All of the Z. scopas exposed to the dinoflagellate did exhibit signs of MHLLE. Early scanning electron photomicrographs have been obtained, but an exact identification of the dinoflagellate has yet to be made. Due to the lack of dinoflagellates found in the skin scrapes, we suggest the release of a toxin by the dinoflagellate and not a parasitic dinoflagellate was the cause of MHLLE. However, water samples that were taken from the tanks are still being analyzed for the presence of a toxin. The results thus far suggest there is a link between the dinoflagellate and MHLLE; however the exact mechanism is still uncertain and the species of dinoflagellate has yet to be determine, the experiment is on going.
