Occurrence of Monstrilla sp. in Perna perna grown in Brazil

Abstract

Copepodids of the genus Monstrilla has been registered in the mussel culture Perna perna on the coast of Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. Between July 2010 and June 2011, 2,880 specimens of P. perna were collected from the main mussel-farming municipalities for analysis under stereomicroscope, differential contrast microscopy (DIC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histopathology. The presence of copepodites and pre-adult females was observed in nodules only in the connective tissue of mussel mantle border. Solely Palhoça presented infestation (prevalence of 43.33%) during June 2010, without mortality. There was no infiltration of hemocytes in the infested tissue.