Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1975

Journal

Journal of Parsitology

Volume

61

Issue

5

First Page

944

Last Page

949

Abstract

SSurf clams (Spisula solidissima) from along the Virginia and North Carolina coasts are infected with an immature anisakid nematode worm which does not cause economic concern until infected with the protozoan hyperparasite, Urosporidium spisuli sp. n. When the protozoan sporulates the spores give the worm a brownish-black appearance, thus making it readily visible in clam tissues. Light and electron microscope studies of the spores reveal characteristics which differentiate the protozoan from other species of Urosporidium. All spores are killed after 5 to 30 min at 100 C; therefore, the consumer would not ingest live spores when eating commercially prepared clam meat.

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