Publication Abstract

Invasive Species Compendium - Myicola ostreae

M. Longshaw*

Myicola ostreae is a parasite of the gills of a number of bivalve mollusc species, particularly Crassostrea gigas. It is native to the Far East (Korea and Japan). It was first noted in France in the early 1970’s following several imports of C. gigas spat from Japan into France between 1971 and 1975. The parasite was recorded in Marennes-Oléron, France in populations of C. angulata. Subsequently it was recorded the parasite in the gills of Ostrea edulis from the Bay of Arcachon at prevalences of 4-40% with up to 4 parasites per host. Crassostrea gigas were imported from France to Ireland in January 1993; M. ostreae was found the following month in Dungarvan Bay (South coast of Eire) where it has become established. Through the anthropogenic movements of the host, the parasite has become established in a number of countries. It does not appear to be able to translocate without the movement of the host. This review covers all aspects of the biology of the parasite, provides details of the spread of the parasite and gives recommendations for future work.