Exploring the unknown biodiversity of apicomplexan parasites (Apicomplexa) in bivalve shellfish (Mollusca) in Japan

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15856
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 45030:Biodiversity and systematics-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Wakeman Kevin 北海道大学, 高等教育推進機構, 助教 (70760221)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Alveolates / Apicomplexans / Ciliates / Phylogeny

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For this project, we collected 40 blue mussels, 40 Pacific Oysters and a total of 180 Hokkaido Scallop, from Hokkaido, Japan. Generally, samples were processed for histology, genomic DNA isolation, and also prepared for laser dissection microscopy. We started with the processing of scallop because we had more samples of those. We were able to amplified 18S rDNA and also conduct phylogenetic analyses in order to assess relationships of these parasites compared to samples collected in previous studies around the world. As a results, we found two ciliates, Tichodina pectenis and Ancistrum sp. We also were able to isolate and identify an apicomplexan parasite, Merocystis kathae. This was the first report of all three of these organisms in Japan. For each of these organisms, we were able to gather histology and amplify 18S rDNA. We are currently processing the blue mussels and pacific oysters.

Free Research Field

Protistology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This research was some of the first molecular work generated from parasites of shellfish (bivalves) in Japan. Here we were able to link traditional histological observations to genetic data. We also made several reports of parasitic species that are newly reported in Japan.