Source: AUBURN UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
PHASE 2: SYSTEMATICS, PATHOGENESIS, AND NATURAL HISTORY OF PARASITES AFFLICTING ALABAMA'S AQUATIC RESOURCES AND AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1006523
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2015
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2020
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
108 M. WHITE SMITH HALL
AUBURN,AL 36849
Performing Department
Fisheries & Allied Aquaculture
Non Technical Summary
This project will further elucidate the identity, life cycle, and natural history of symbionts and pathogens of aquatic organisms in Alabama waters, including rivers, streams, ponds, and culture facilities. Alabama has a diverse assemblage of parasitic diseases. Disease onset is mediated by the factors related to the pathogen, host, and environment. Surveys and experimental studies are required to identify cause-effect relationships among these factors. The result of the work will be a more detailed and naunced understanding of how pathogens kill aquatic animals, including those comprising commodity items for the state of Alabama (i.e., catfishes).
Animal Health Component
33%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
34%
Applied
33%
Developmental
33%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3110810111025%
3110811111025%
1330320116025%
1120812106025%
Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 311 - Animal Diseases; 112 - Watershed Protection and Management;

Subject Of Investigation
0810 - Finfish; 0320 - Watersheds; 0811 - Shellfish; 0812 - Fish habitats;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1160 - Pathology; 1110 - Parasitology;
Goals / Objectives
Enhance agriculture production systemsInvestigate cause-effect relationships between pathogens, hosts, and environmentDocument biodiversity of native and exotic pathogensProvide recommendations for best management practices for sustainability and disease prevention on aquaculture farmsExplore the use of biological control agents for aquaculture pathogensConduct diagnostic surveillance of aquatic animal populations in Alabama waters
Project Methods
-taxonomy-systematics-patho-biological analyses-ecological analyses-molecular characterization of taxa-in pond trials and partnerships with industry

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Public Natural Resource Agencies Academics Students Industry Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project in total has provided training and professional development to 7 PhD students and 7 MSc students in the field of aquatic animal health and disease diagnostics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination methods include: 1.) http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/WhirlingDisease.aspx (this webpage was created subsequent to the discovery of myxospores of Myxobolus cerebralis at the AU-Fish Disease Diagnostics Laboratory, Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project). 2.) http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/IndexID/10195/Default.aspxhttps://www.facebook.com/ncwildliferesourcescommissionhttp://abc11.com/news/disorder-affecting-trout-found-in-watauga-river/897761/ 3.) http://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/whirling-disease-gill-lice-found-in-watauga-trout/article_331f7b9b-c02b-5ae7-9904-d55c6897010f.htmlhttp://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=5220http://outdoornewsdaily.com/whirling-disease-impacts-on-trout-populations-in-north-carolina/http://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/outdoors/girls-gone-outdoors/2015/07/29/whirling-disease-found--watauga-river-rainbow-trout/30849515/Greenville Online: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2015/07/31/whirling-disease-north-carolina-trout/30945685/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to expand the Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project through scholarship, cooperative agreements with state and federal partners, and additional graduate student training.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This outreach work educated biologists and citizens about biosecurity and halting the spread of the exotic pathogen M. cerebralis (as only a few rivers in the state are known to be positive for whirling disease). Since the discovery of whirling disease in North Carolina, NCWRC biologists Rash and Besler have consulted with Bullard on educational content for their webpages pertaining to whirling disease (http://ncwildlife.org/Fishing/Whirling-Disease), including recommendations for treatment of fishing gear, what to do if sick fish are observed, and why it is important to not transport water or fish across rivers (http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/whirling-disease-impacts-on-trout-populations-in-north-carolina-1). Through this collaborative effort, NCWRC has committed funds and personnel to educating the public about whirling disease and containing it within the rivers where it is currently known to range. In collaboration with AU-FDL, the agency is supporting an ongoing (2018-2021) state-wide survey of trout for the presence of whirling disease. Genomic tools for the rapid detection and tracking of the pathogen are being developed by a collaboration between FDL, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and NCWRC so that fisheries agencies in the Southeastern United States can best prevent the spread of the pathogen and/or mitigate its effects on wild trout populations.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Truong*, NT, MB Warren*, SS Curran, SA Bullard. Biodiversity exploration of the Mekong River Basin: a new genus and species of fluke (Digenea: Lissorchiidae) infecting the intestine of the freshwater fish Cyclocheilichthys enoplos Bleeker, 1849 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Curran, SS, S Martorelli, RM Overstreet, MB Warren*, SA Bullard. Deciphering the identity of some digeneans (Lepocreadiidae) that use pelagic invertebrate second intermediate hosts in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bullard, SA, MB Warren*. What is up the nose of sharks? Exploring the tricky taxonomic problem of the putatively monotypic Cathariotrema Johnson and Tiegs, 1922 (Monogenoidea: Monocotylidae), parasites of the olfactory bulb of sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Armwood*, AR, SA Bullard, TM Clauss, CE Anderson, AC Camus. Stop: Branchial Hammer Time! Cant Touch This: Erpocotyle microstoma (Monogenoidea: Hexabothriidae) infection in the gill of a captive great hammerhead shark. 45th annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Abstract, National. 913 April 2018. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bullard, SA, HR Dutton*, MB Warren*. Diversity, life cycles, and ancestry of the hematophagous flatworms infecting the vascular systems of fishes and turtles (ectothermic vertebrates). 4th International Congress on Parasites of Wildlife (ICPOW); Parasitological Society of South Africa; Kruger National Park, South Africa, 6-9 Sept 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Roberts*, JR, MB Warren*, KM Halanych, SA Bullard. 2019. Spirorchis spp. (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) infecting map turtles (Cryptodira: Emydidae: Graptemys spp.) in southeastern North America: A new species, molecular phylogenies, and key to species. Systematic Parasitology 95:133145.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, CF Ruiz*, NV Whelan, DC Kritsky, SA Bullard. 2019. Gymnurahemecus bulbosus gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting smooth butterfly rays, Gymnura micrura (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with a taxonomic key and further evidence for monophyly of chondrichthyan blood flukes. Parasitology Research 118:751762.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, W Driggers III, SA Bullard. 2019. A new species of Neoalbionella (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoidea: Lernaeopodidae) from skin of the gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Parasitology 105(2):203221.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, HR Dutton*, NV Whelan, RPE Yanong, SA Bullard. 2019. First record of a species of Mermithidae Braun, 1883 infecting a decapod, Palaemon paludosus (Palaemonidae). Journal of Parasitology 105(2):237247.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, SA Bullard. 2019. A new species of parasitic copepod (Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae: Neoalbionella �zdikmen, 2008) infecting the skin of a gulper shark, Centrophorus sp. (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae), in the Gulf of Mexico, with a key to species of Neoalbionella. Journal of Crustacean Biology https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruz042.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bullard, SA, JR Roberts*, MB Warren*, HR Dutton*, NV Whelan, CF Ruiz*, TR Platt, VV Tkach, SV Brant, KM Halanych. 2019. Neotropical turtle blood flukes: Two new genera and species from the Amazon River Basin with a key to genera and comments on a marine-derived parasite lineage in South America. Journal of Parasitology 105(4):497-523.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, JM Rash, NV Whelan, SA Bullard. 2019. A new species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) infecting medulla oblongata and nerve cord of brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, in southern Appalachia (New River, North Carolina, USA). Parasitology Research 118:3,241-3,252.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Warshafsky*, ZT, SA Bullard, WK Vogelbein, EA Chandler, ME Lutcavage. 2020. Prevalence, intensity and pathology of the nasal parasite Nasicola hogansi in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Journal of Fish Diseases 43(5): DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13129.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Warren*, MB, M Bakenhaster, RM Scharer, GR Poulakis, SA Bullard. 2020. A new genus and species of fish blood fluke, Achorovermis testisinuosus gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Aporocotylidae), infecting the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata (Rhinopristiformes: Pristidae) in the Gulf of Mexico. Folia Parasitologica 67:009.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, NV Whelan, C Whipps, SA Bullard. 2020. A new species of Thelohanellus (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida) infecting the somatic muscle of blacktail shiner Cyprinella venusta in Bull Creek, Georgia, USA. Journal of Parasitology 106(3):350-359.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dutton*, HR, SA Bullard. 2020. A new genus and species of turtle blood fluke, Ruavermis mikebargeri gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea), infecting yellow-headed temple turtle, Heosemys annandali (Cryptodira: Geoemydidae) in Vietnam. Folia Parasitologica 67: 013. doi: 10.14411/fp.2020.013.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dutton*, HR, SA Bullard. 2020. Emendation and new species of the seldom reported Enterohaematotrema Mehra, 1940 (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) including a revised phylogenetic hypothesis for turtle blood flukes. Systematic Parasitology 97:335-345.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, JM Rash, BL Simcox, DA Besler, MB Warren*, HR Dutton*, SA Bullard. 2020. Whirling disease of wild-caught trouts in the Southeastern United States. Journal of Fish Diseases 2020;00:1-8 https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13183.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Aceves*, AK, PD Johnson, CL Atkinson, BC van Ee, SA Bullard, CR Arias. 2020. Digestive gland microbiome of Ohio pigtoe, Pleurobema cordatum (Rafinesque, 1820): mesocosms induce dysbiosis. Journal of Molluscan Studies.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, B Hickson, NV Whelan, SA Bullard. 2020. A new species of Myxobolus Butschli, 1882 (Bilvalvulida: Myxobolidae) infecting stratum spongiosum of the cryptic, endangered sicklefin redhorse, Moxostoma sp., (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) from the Little Tennessee River, North Carolina, USA. Folia Parasitologica.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: McElwain, A, MB Warren*, FB Pereira, SP Ksepka, SA Bullard. 2019. Pathobiology and first report of larval nematodes (Ascaridomorpha sp.) infecting freshwater mussels (Villosa nebulosa, Unionidae), including an inventory of nematode infections in freshwater and marine bivalves. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites & Wildlife 10(2019):41-58.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton*, HR, MB Warren, SA Bullard. 2019. New genus and species of turtle blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) infecting six-tubercled Amazon river turtles, Podocnemis sextuberculata (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) from South America (Peru, Amazon River Basin). Journal of Parasitology 105(5):671-685.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, SA Bullard. 2019. First elucidation of a blood fluke (Electrovermes zappus n. gen., n. sp.) life cycle including a chondrichthyan or bivalve. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites & Wildlife 10(2019):170-183.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Warren*, MB, MD Bakenhaster, HR Dutton*, SP Ksepka*, SA Bullard. In press. Redescription of the type species of Cardicola Short, 1953 (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) and description of a new congener infecting yellowedge grouper, Hyporthodus flavolimbatus (Perciformes: Serranidae) from the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Truong*, TN, MB Warren*, SP Ksepka*, SS Curran, SA Bullard. In press. Postovitellinum psiloterminae n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Lissorchiidae) infecting intestine of Cyclocheilos enoplos (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Mekong River, Vietnam. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hyatt, MW, AL Newton, SP Ksepka*, & SA Bullard. First record of epizootic-level infection by a scuticociliate (Miamiensis sp.) in a wild shark population in the Atlantic Ocean. International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Durban, South Africa, 1822 May 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton*, HR, SA Bullard. A new lineage of turtle blood fluke (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the six-tubercled Amazon River turtle (Podocnemididae) in South America (Peru, Amazon River Basin). Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, SP Ksepka*, JM Rash, DA Besler, B Hickson, D Chappell, SA Bullard. Invasive exotic copepods (Salmincola spp.) infect wild and farmed trouts (Salmonidae) in the southeastern USA. Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, SA Bullard. Discovery of a new lineage of fish blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) infecting coquina clams (Donax variabilis) and lesser electric rays (Narcine bancroftii) in the Gulf of Mexico. Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, CF Ruiz*, JM Rash, SA Bullard. Cryptic species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae): an intercellular cnidarian that parasitizes the central nervous system of native brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis in western North Carolina. Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019. (winner of Best Student Oral Presentation)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, JM Rash, SA Bullard. In press. Myxobolus cerebralis (Hofer, 1903) (Bivalvulida: Myxobolidae) could infect two non-Tubifex tubifex definitive hosts in the Southeastern United States. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dutton*, HR, LH Du Preez, SS Curran, NV Whelan, SA Bullard. In press. First record of a polystomatid from the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, (Cryptodira: Chelydridae) or Mississippi; with taxonomic comments on Neopolystoma orbiculare (Stunkard, 1916) and its junior subjective synonyms. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Aceves*, AK, PD Johnson, FA Burgos*, SA Bullard, CR Arias. Antibiotic treatment and bacterial challenge causes changes in the overall bacterial diversity and composition in the freshwater mussel Villosa nebulosa (Conrad, 1834). Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, San Antonio, Texas, 14?18 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton* HR, MB Warren*, SA Bullard. Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species and genus of turtle blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the six-tubercled Amazon River turtle, Podocnemis sextuberculata (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) in South America (Peru, Amazon River Basin). American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, SA Bullard. Life cycle of a new species of fish blood fluke (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting variable coquina clams (Donax variabilis) and lesser electric rays (Narcine bancroftii) in the Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019. (winner of Best Student Oral Presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, SA Bullard. A species of Achtheres (Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae) from buccal cavity of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Lake Lanier, Georgia. American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, CF Ruiz*, JM Rash, SA Bullard. A cryptic species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) parasitizing the central nervous system of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in western North Carolina. American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton* HR, MB Warren*, SA Bullard. A new lineage of blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the six-tubercled Amazon River turtle, Podocnemis sextuberculata (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) and its phylogenetic position within the Schistosomatoidea. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11?13 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB and SA Bullard. Morphological and molecular study of a new species of fish blood fluke (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting variable coquina clams (Donax variabilis) and lesser electric rays (Narcine bancroftii) in the Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, GA, 1113 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Newton, AL, HW Hyatt, J Malatos, SP Ksepka, SA Bullard. Scuticociliate (Miamiensis sp.) associated meningoencephalitis in wild northwest Atlantic smooth dogfish sharks (Mustelus canis). American Elasmobranch Society, Snowbird, Utah, 24?28 July 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka* SP, CF Ruiz*, JM Rash, SA Bullard. New species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) parasitizing the central nervous system of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in western North Carolina. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11?13 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Rash, JM, CF Ruiz*, SP Ksepka*, SA Bullard, DA Besler, DW Deaton. Life after the discovery of non-native trout pathogens in North Carolina: tackling the learning curve and planning for the future. East Coast Trout VI Workshop: Management and Culture Workshop Rising to meet new challenges, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 10-12 June 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gonzales, RD, CR Arias, RB Blaylock, SA Bullard. Detecting Amyloodinium ocellatum in cultured fish: efficiency comparisons between direct observation of trophonts using light microscopy and detection of waterborne DNA using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11-13 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, JM Rash, DA Besler, BL Simcox, HR Dutton*, MB Warren*, CR Arias, SA Bullard. Geographic distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in the southeastern United States. East Coast Trout VI Workshop: Management and Culture Workshop Rising to meet new challenges, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 10-12 June 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bullard, SA. Diseases of aquatic resources in the Southeastern United States. East Coast Trout VI Workshop: Management and Culture Workshop Rising to meet new challenges, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 10-12 June 2019 (keynote/plenary session; invited).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz* CF, JM Rash, DA Besler, BH Hickson, DR Chappell, SA Bullard. Non-native copepods (Lernaeopodidae: Salmincola spp.) infecting the gill and skin of trouts (Salmonidae) in the southeastern United States. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11?13 Apr 2019
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Newton, AL, MW Hyatt, JM Malatos, SP Ksepka*, and SA Bullard. First record of epizootic-level infection by a scuticociliate (Miamensis sp.) in a wild shark population in the Atlantic Ocean. International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Durban, South Africa 18-22 May 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Waits, DS, R Or�lis-Ribeiro, KM Kocot, SA Bullard, KM Halanych. You arent what you eat: the impact of sequence contamination on phylogenomics of blood flukes (Platyhelminthes: Schistosomatoidea). Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology. Austin, TX, 37 January 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, NV Whelan, CM Whipps, SA Bullard. A new species of Thelohanellus Kudo, 1933 (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida) infecting somatic muscle of blacktail shiner, Cyprinella venusta Girard, 1856 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Chattahoochee River Basin, Georgia, USA. Auburn Student Research Symposium, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. 31 March 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Warren*, MB and SA Bullard. Redescription of Cardicola cardiocola (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting jolthead porgy (Calamus bajonado) and a new species of Cardicola infecting yellowedge grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Auburn University Student Research Symposium, Auburn, AL., 31 March 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dutton*, HR and SA Bullard. A species of Neopolystoma (Monogenoidea: Polystomatidae) infecting urinary bladder of alligator snapping turtles, Macrochelys temminckii (Cryptodira: Chelydridae) from the Pascagoula River, Mississippi. Auburn University Student Research Symposium, Auburn, AL., 31 March 2020, Regional.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Warren*, MB and SA Bullard. A new species of Cardicola (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting yellowedge grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus) and redescription of the type species, Cardicola cardiocola (Manter, 1947) Short, 1953 infecting jolthead porgy (Calamus bajonado) from the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Krol*, JD, MB Warren, SS Curran, SA Bullard. The first Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) phylogenetic analysis of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), including a modified PCR protocol and comments on interrelationships of WSSV stains using the VP28 gene. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dutton*, HR and SA Bullard. A species of Neopolystoma (Monogenoidea: Polystomatidae) infecting urinary bladder of alligator snapping turtles, Macrochelys temminckii (Cryptodira: Chelydridae) from the Pascagoula River, Mississippi. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, JM Rash, B Simcox, D Besler, MB Warren*, HR Dutton*, SA Bullard. Six thousand trout later: geographic distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis and the first diagnosed case of salmonid whirling disease in the Southeastern United States. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Slayton*, AP, MB Warren*, SS Curran, SA Bullard. Parasitological survey of larval digeneans infecting the coldwater elimia, Elimia modesta, (Pleuroceridae) from Terrapin Creek, Alabama. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 16?18 April 2020. (cancelled due to COVID-19 epidemic)


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Public Natural Resource Agencies Academics Students Industry Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has trained MSc and PhD students in aquatic animal health. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue being productive such that publications, presentations, extramural grants, and fellowships continue.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As documented by the published work reported, our laboratory group has made significant advances in these following areas: Enhance agriculture production systems Investigate cause-effect relationships between pathogens, hosts, and environment Document biodiversity of native and exotic pathogens Provide recommendations for best management practices for sustainability and disease prevention on aquaculture farms Explore the use of biological control agents for aquaculture pathogens Conduct diagnostic surveillance of aquatic animal populations in Alabama waters

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Roberts*, JR, MB Warren*, KM Halanych, SA Bullard. 2019. Spirorchis spp. (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) infecting map turtles (Cryptodira: Emydidae: Graptemys spp.) in southeastern North America: A new species, molecular phylogenies, and key to species. Systematic Parasitology 95:133145.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, CF Ruiz*, NV Whelan, DC Kritsky, SA Bullard. 2019. Gymnurahemecus bulbosus gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting smooth butterfly rays, Gymnura micrura (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with a taxonomic key and further evidence for monophyly of chondrichthyan blood flukes. Parasitology Research 118:751762.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, W Driggers III, SA Bullard. 2019. A new species of Neoalbionella (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoidea: Lernaeopodidae) from skin of the gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Parasitology 105(2):203221.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, HR Dutton*, NV Whelan, RPE Yanong, SA Bullard. 2019. First record of a species of Mermithidae Braun, 1883 infecting a decapod, Palaemon paludosus (Palaemonidae). Journal of Parasitology 105(2):237247.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, SA Bullard. 2019. A new species of parasitic copepod (Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae: Neoalbionella �zdikmen, 2008) infecting the skin of a gulper shark, Centrophorus sp. (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae), in the Gulf of Mexico, with a key to species of Neoalbionella. Journal of Crustacean Biology https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruz042.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bullard, SA, JR Roberts*, MB Warren*, HR Dutton*, NV Whelan, CF Ruiz*, TR Platt, VV Tkach, SV Brant, KM Halanych. 2019. Neotropical turtle blood flukes: Two new genera and species from the Amazon River Basin with a key to genera and comments on a marine-derived parasite lineage in South America. Journal of Parasitology 105(4):497-523.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: McElwain, A, MB Warren*, FB Pereira, SP Ksepka, SA Bullard. 2019. Pathobiology and first report of larval nematodes (Ascaridomorpha sp.) infecting freshwater mussels (Villosa nebulosa, Unionidae), including an inventory of nematode infections in freshwater and marine bivalves. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites & Wildlife 10(2019):41-58.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton*, HR, MB Warren, SA Bullard. 2019. New genus and species of turtle blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) infecting six-tubercled Amazon river turtles, Podocnemis sextuberculata (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) from South America (Peru, Amazon River Basin). Journal of Parasitology 105(5):671-685.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, SA Bullard. 2019. First elucidation of a blood fluke (Electrovermes zappus n. gen., n. sp.) life cycle including a chondrichthyan or bivalve. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites & Wildlife 10(2019):170-183.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, JM Rash, NV Whelan, SA Bullard. In press. A new species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) infecting medulla oblongata and nerve cord of brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, in southern Appalachia (New River, North Carolina, USA). Parasitology Research XX(X):XXX-XXX.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, CF Ruiz*, JM Rash, SA Bullard. Cryptic species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae): an intercellular cnidarian that parasitizes the central nervous system of native brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis in western North Carolina. Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019. (winner of Best Student Oral Presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hyatt, MW, AL Newton, SP Ksepka*, & SA Bullard. First record of epizootic-level infection by a scuticociliate (Miamiensis sp.) in a wild shark population in the Atlantic Ocean. International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Durban, South Africa, 1822 May 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton*, HR, SA Bullard. A new lineage of turtle blood fluke (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the six-tubercled Amazon River turtle (Podocnemididae) in South America (Peru, Amazon River Basin). Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, SP Ksepka*, JM Rash, DA Besler, B Hickson, D Chappell, SA Bullard. Invasive exotic copepods (Salmincola spp.) infect wild and farmed trouts (Salmonidae) in the southeastern USA. Auburn Research Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, 9 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Aceves*, AK, PD Johnson, FA Burgos*, SA Bullard, CR Arias. Antibiotic treatment and bacterial challenge causes changes in the overall bacterial diversity and composition in the freshwater mussel Villosa nebulosa (Conrad, 1834). Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, San Antonio, Texas, 14?18 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren*, MB, SA Bullard. Life cycle of a new species of fish blood fluke (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting variable coquina clams (Donax variabilis) and lesser electric rays (Narcine bancroftii) in the Gulf of Mexico. American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019. (winner of Best Student Oral Presentation)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, SA Bullard. A species of Achtheres (Siphonostomatoida: Lernaeopodidae) from buccal cavity of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Lake Lanier, Georgia. American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019 (talk cancelled).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka*, SP, CF Ruiz*, JM Rash, SA Bullard. A cryptic species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) parasitizing the central nervous system of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in western North Carolina. American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton* HR, MB Warren*, SA Bullard. Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species and genus of turtle blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the six-tubercled Amazon River turtle, Podocnemis sextuberculata (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) in South America (Peru, Amazon River Basin). American Society of Parasitologists, Rochester, New York, 11?14 July 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Dutton* HR, MB Warren*, SA Bullard. A new lineage of blood fluke (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the six-tubercled Amazon River turtle, Podocnemis sextuberculata (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) and its phylogenetic position within the Schistosomatoidea. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11?13 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Warren, MB* and SA Bullard. Morphological and molecular study of a new species of fish blood fluke (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting variable coquina clams (Donax variabilis) and lesser electric rays (Narcine bancroftii) in the Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, GA, 1113 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Newton, AL, HW Hyatt, J Malatos, SP Ksepka, SA Bullard. Scuticociliate (Miamiensis sp.) associated meningoencephalitis in wild northwest Atlantic smooth dogfish sharks (Mustelus canis). American Elasmobranch Society, Snowbird, Utah, 24?28 July 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka SP*, CF Ruiz*, JM Rash, SA Bullard. New species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) parasitizing the central nervous system of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in western North Carolina. Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11?13 April 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Rash, JM, CF Ruiz*, SP Ksepka*, SA Bullard, DA Besler, DW Deaton. Life after the discovery of non-native trout pathogens in North Carolina: tackling the learning curve and planning for the future. East Coast Trout VI Workshop: Management and Culture Workshop Rising to meet new challenges, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 10-12 June 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bullard, SA. Diseases of aquatic resources in the Southeastern United States. East Coast Trout VI Workshop: Management and Culture Workshop Rising to meet new challenges, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 10-12 June 2019 (keynote/plenary session; invited).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Newton, AL, MW Hyatt, JM Malatos, SP Ksepka*, and SA Bullard. First record of epizootic-level infection by a scuticociliate (Miamensis sp.) in a wild shark population in the Atlantic Ocean. International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Durban, South Africa 18-22 May 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Ksepka, SP, JM Rash, DA Besler, BL Simcox, HR Dutton, MB Warren, CR Arias, SA Bullard. Geographic distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in the southeastern United States. East Coast Trout VI Workshop: Management and Culture Workshop Rising to meet new challenges, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 10-12 June 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gonzales, RD, CR Arias, RB Blaylock, SA Bullard. Detecting Amyloodinium ocellatum in cultured fish: efficiency comparisons between direct observation of trophonts using light microscopy and detection of waterborne DNA using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, Athens, Georgia, 11-13 April 2019.


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Public Natural resource agencies Academics Students Industry Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?These awards supported training and professional development. 2018. Warren, MB (MSc), Swingle Award ($1,500), School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, outstanding graduate student award. 14 Dec. 2018. Siebka, M (MSc), Southeastern Society of Parasitologists' Byrd-Dunn Award for best graduate student research paper ($500), Starkville, Mississippi, 19-21 Apr. 2018. Warren, MB (MSc), AU Office of the Vice President for Research, "This is Research Student Symposium," Oral Presentation Award ($500). 26 Mar. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Workshops. Peer-reviewed publications. Society meetings. Agency meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Non-Technical Summary This project will further elucidate the identity, life cycle, and natural history of symbionts and pathogens of aquatic organisms in Alabama waters, including rivers, streams, ponds, and culture facilities. Alabama has a diverse assemblage of parasitic diseases. Disease onset is mediated by the factors related to the pathogen, host, and environment. Surveys and experimental studies are required to identify cause-effect relationships among these factors. The result of the work will be a more detailed and naunced understanding of how pathogens kill aquatic animals, including those comprising commodity items for the state of Alabama (i.e., catfishes). Accomplishments Enhance agriculture production systems Investigate cause-effect relationships between pathogens, hosts, and environment Document biodiversity of native and exotic pathogens Provide recommendations for best management practices for sustainability and disease prevention on aquaculture farms Explore the use of biological control agents for aquaculture pathogens Conduct diagnostic surveillance of aquatic animal populations in Alabama waters Major goals of the project What was accomplished under these goals? Infrastructure enhancements to the Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project have directly addressed several key goals of the project. Sponsored by the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and operating continuously since July 1st 1964, the SCFPDL (CR Arias, Director; SA Bullard, Deputy Director) is a multidisciplinary disease diagnostics laboratory located at Auburn University and comprises the Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, Aquatic Microbiology Laboratory, and related infrastructure and personnel. Technicians and graduate students (MSc & PhD) plus undergraduate research interns cross-train while handling case submissions with oversight from tenure/tenure-track faculty members with expertise in the relevant specialization. Cooperative member states pay an annual fee ($20,000) plus additional costs for specific tests, examinations, or surveillance activities carried out by SCFPDL personnel. The SCFPDL is a fully-equipped, full-spectrum laboratory capable of diagnosing a wide spectrum of aquatic animal diseases (virology, bacteriology, parasitology, pathology, infectious disease, non-infectious disease). SCFPDL faculty provide expert routine and emergency counsel to wildlife resource commissions pertaining to all aspects of aquatic animal health and fish kills.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Warren*, MB, HR Dutton*, NV Whelan, RPE Yanong, SA Bullard. First record of a species of Mermithidae Braun, 1883 infecting a decapod, Palaemon paludosus (Palaemonidae). Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, W Driggers III, SA Bullard. A new species of Neoalbionella (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoidea: Lernaeopodidae) from skin of gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Warren*, MB, NV Whelan, DC Kritsky, SA Bullard. Gymnurahemecus bulbosus gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting smooth butterfly rays, Gymnura micrura (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with a taxonomic key and further evidence for monophyly of chondrichthyan blood flukes. Parasitology Research.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Roberts*, JR, MB Warren*, KM Halanych, SA Bullard. Spirorchis spp. (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) infecting map turtles (Cryptodira: Emydidae: Graptemys spp.) in southeastern North America: A new species, molecular phylogenies, and key to species. Systematic Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Roberts*, JR, KM Halanych, CR Arias, SS Curran, & SA Bullard. 2018. A new species of Spirorchis MacCallum, 1918 (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) and Spirorchis scripta Stunkard, 1923 infecting river cooter, Pseudemys concinna (Le Conte, 1830), (Testudines: Emydidae) in the Pascagoula River, Mississippi, U.S.A., including an updated phylogeny for Spirorchis spp. Comparative Parasitology 85(2):120⿿132.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Aceves*, AK, P Johnson, SA Bullard, S LaFrentz, CR Arias. 2018. Description and characterization of the digestive gland microbiome in the freshwater mussel Villosa nebulosa(Bivalvia: Unionidae). Journal of Molluscan Studies 2018: 1⿿7.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Roberts*, JR, CR Arias, KM Halanych, BT Dang, & SA Bullard. 2018. A new genus and species of turtle blood fluke (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from the Mekong snail eating turtle, Malayemys subtrijuga (Schlegel & Müeller) (Testudines: Geomydidae) in Vietnam, with a reassessment of related Asiatic turtle blood flukes and molecular phylogeny. Systematic Parasitology 95(2):133⿿145.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bakenhaster, MD, SA Bullard, SS Curran, DC Kritsky, EH Leone, L Partridge, CF Ruiz*, RM Scharer, & GR Poulakis. 2018. Parasite component community of smalltooth sawfish off Florida; diversity, conservation concerns, and research applications. Endangered Species Research 35: 47⿿58.


Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Public Natural resource agencies Academics Students Industry Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?2017. Warren, MB (MSc), AU Graduate School ($1,000), Williams' Graduate Award, 1 Sept 2017. 2017. Ruiz, CF (PhD), World Association of Copepodologists, International Conference on Copepoda, Oral Presentation Award ($150), Los Angeles (Cabrillo Marine Aquarium), California, 16-21 July 2017. 2017. Roberts, JR (MSc), American Society of Parasitologists' Marc Dresden Student Travel Award ($400), Annual meeting of the American Society of Parasitologists, San Antonio, Texas, 27 June-1 July 2017. 2017. Roberts, JR (MSc), Southeastern Society of Parasitologists' Byrd-Dunn Award for best graduate student research paper, Georgetown, South Carolina, 6-8 Apr 2016. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Workshops. Peer-reviewed publications. Society meetings. Agency meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Infrastructure enhancements to tehe Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project have directly addressed several key goals of the project. Sponsored by the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and operating continuously since July 1st 1964, the SCFPDL (CR Arias, Director; SA Bullard, Deputy Director) is a multidisciplinary disease diagnostics laboratory located at Auburn University and comprises the Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, Aquatic Microbiology Laboratory, and related infrastructure and personnel. Technicians and graduate students (MSc & PhD) plus undergraduate research interns cross-train while handling case submissions with oversight from tenure/tenure-track faculty members with expertise in the relevant specialization. Cooperative member states pay an annual fee ($20,000) plus additional costs for specific tests, examinations, or surveillance activities carried out by SCFPDL personnel. The SCFPDL is a fully-equipped, full-spectrum laboratory capable of diagnosing a wide spectrum of aquatic animal diseases (virology, bacteriology, parasitology, pathology, infectious disease, non-infectious disease). SCFPDL faculty provide expert routine and emergency counsel to wildlife resource commissions pertaining to all aspects of aquatic animal health and fish kills.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Warren**, MB, R Or�lis-Ribeiro*, CF Ruiz*, BT Dang, CR Arias, & SA Bullard . 2017. Endocarditis associated with blood fluke infections (Digenea: Aporocotylidae: Psettarium cf. anthicum) among aquacultured cobia (Rachycentron canadum) from Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam. Aquaculture 468: 549-557.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Or�lis-Ribeiro*, R, KM Halanych, BT Dang, MD Bakenhaster, CR Arias, & SA Bullard . 2017. Two new species of Elopicola (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) from Hawaiian ladyfish, Elops hawaiensis (South China Sea) and Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus (Gulf of Mexico) with a comment on monophyly of elopomorph blood flukes. Parasitology International 66: 305-318.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bagnato* , E, SA Bullard, & F Cremonte. 2017. Redescription of Allobenedenia dischizosepta (Suriano, 1975) n. comb. (Monogenoidea: Capsalidae: Trochopodinae) from the gills of Argentine sea basses (Acanthistius) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Comparative Parasitology 84(2): 111-118.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, JM Rash, D Besler, JR Roberts*, MB Warren*, CR Arias, & SA Bullard . 2017. Confirmation of two exotic gill lice species (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae: Salmincola spp.) infecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the southeastern United States. Journal of Parasitology 103(4): 377-389.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Warren*, MB, JR Roberts*, CR Arias, RP Koenigs, & SA Bullard . 2017. Acipensericola glacialis n. sp. (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) from heart of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae) from the Great Lakes Basin, Lake Winnebago, USA. Systematic Parasitology 94: 875-889.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Roberts*, JR, KM Halanych, CR Arias, B Folt, JM Goessling, & SA Bullard . 2017. Emendation and new species of Hapalorhynchus Stunkard, 1922 (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from musk turtles (Kinosternidae: Sternotherus) in Alabama and Florida rivers. Parasitology International 66: 748-760.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kritsky , DC, SA Bullard, MD Bakenhaster, RM Scharer, & GR Poulakis. 2017. Resurrection of Mycteronastes (Monogenoidea: Monocotylidae), with description of Mycteronastes caalusi sp. n. from olfactory sacs of the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata (Pristiformes: Pristidae), in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida. Journal of Parasitology 103(5): 477-485.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kritsky , DC, SA Bullard, CF Ruiz*, & MB Warren*. In press. Empruthotrema longipenis sp. n. (Monogenoidea: Monocotylidae: Merizocotylinae) from the olfactory sacs of the smooth butterfly ray Gymnura micrura (Bloch and Schneider) (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae) in the Gulf of Mexico. Systematic Parasitology 94: 777-784.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, JM Rash, CR Arias, D Besler, JR Roberts*, MB Warren*, & SA Bullard . 2017. Morphological and molecular confirmation of myxospores of Myxobolus cerebralis (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) infecting wild-caught and cultured trouts (Salmonidae) in the southeastern United States (North Carolina). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 126: 185-198.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bakenhaster , MD, SA Bullard, SS Curran, DC Kritsky, EH Leone, L Partridge, CF Ruiz*, RM Scharer, & GR Poulakis. 2017. Parasite component community of smalltooth sawfish off Florida; diversity, conservation concerns, and research applications. Endangered Species Research N863.


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Public Natural resource agencies Academics Students Industry Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?2016. Womble, Matt (MSc), Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, National Sea Grant. Feb 2016 - Jan 2017. 2015. Roberts, Jackson (MSc), President, American Fisheries Society (AU Fisheries Chapter). 5 May 2015. 2015. Womble, Matt (MSc), Outstanding Senator, AU Graduate Student Council 2014-15. 23 April 2015. 2015. Orélis-Ribeiro, Raphael (PhD), Outstanding International Grad Student, AU. 22 April 2015. 2015. Andrew McElwain (PhD), Winner, J Frances Allen Institute of Malacology Outstanding Publication Award 2014-15 (For 'Histological Atlas of Freshwater Mussels,' Institute of Malacology, the journal Malacologia. 23 Oct 2015. 2014. Orélis-Ribeiro, Raphael (PhD), Swingle Award (PhD student). 5 Dec 2014. 2014. Orélis-Ribeiro, Raphael (PhD), invited seminar, Middle Tennessee State University. 6 Nov 2014. 2014. Womble, Matthew (MSc), field scientist, NOAA/NMFS Fall Pelagics Survey, Gulf of Mexico 1-21 Nov. 2014. Shugg, Riley (REU), field scientist, NOAA/NMFS Fall Pelagics Survey, Gulf of Mexico 8-31 Oct. 2014. Womble, Matthew (MSc), ASP Marc Dresden Student Travel Award, New Orleans, LA, $150. 2014. Orélis-Ribeiro, Raphael (PhD), ASP Marc Dresden Student Travel Award, New Orleans, LA, $150. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Workshops. Peer-reviewed publications. Society meetings. Agency meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Infrastructure enhancements to the Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Project have directly addressed several key goals of the project. Sponsored by the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and operating continuously since July 1st 1964, the SCFPDL (CR Arias, Director; SA Bullard, Deputy Director) is a multidisciplinary disease diagnostics laboratory located at Auburn University and comprises the Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, Aquatic Microbiology Laboratory, and related infrastructure and personnel. Technicians and graduate students (MSc & PhD) plus undergraduate research interns cross-train while handling case submissions with oversight from tenure/tenure-track faculty members with expertise in the relevant specialization. Cooperative member states pay an annual fee ($20,000) plus additional costs for specific tests, examinations, or surveillance activities carried out by SCFPDL personnel. The SCFPDL is a fully-equipped, full-spectrum laboratory capable of diagnosing a wide spectrum of aquatic animal diseases (virology, bacteriology, parasitology, pathology, infectious disease, non-infectious disease). SCFPDL faculty provide expert routine and emergency counsel to wildlife resource commissions pertaining to all aspects of aquatic animal health and fish kills.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Womble* M, R. Or�lis-Ribeiro*, & SA Bullard . 2015. Proterometra epholkos n. sp. (Azygiidae) from Terrapin Creek, Alabama, USA: molecular characterization of life cycle, redescription of Proterometra albicauda, and host and geographic locality records for Proterometra spp. in North America. Parasitology International 64:50-69.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Blaylock R & SA Bullard. 2015. Counter-insurgents in the Blue Revolution: Parasites, Diseases, and Perceptions. Journal of Parasitology 100(6):743-755.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Larsen*, A, Z Tao*, SA Bullard, & CR Arias . 2015. Community structure of skin microbiome of Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, is driven by seasonality and not exposure to oiled sediments in a Louisiana salt marsh. FEMS Microbial Ecology DOI 10.1007/s00248-015-0578-7.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Or�lis-Ribeiro* R & SA Bullard. 2015. Blood flukes (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) infecting body cavity of South American catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae): two new species from rivers in Bolivia, Guyana, and Peru with a re-assessment of Plehniella Szidat, 1951. Folia Parasitologica 62.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bullard SA, MR Womble*, MK Maynard**, R Or�lis-Ribeiro*, & CR Arias. 2015. Skin lesions on yellow tuna, Thunnus albacares from the Gulf of Mexicos Outer Continental Shelf: morphological, molecular, and histological diagnosis. Parasitology International 64:609-621.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Womble* M & SA Bullard. 2015. A new species of Proterometra (Digenea: Azygiidae) and its life cycle in the Chickasawhay River, Mississippi, with supplemental observations of Proterometra autraini. Parasitology International 65:31-43.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Womble*, MR & SA Bullard . Accepted 29 October 2015. Ocular deformity in midshipmen Porichthys plectrodon from the north-central Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana. Journal of Fish Biology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Womble* , MR, SJ Cox-Gardiner**, TR Cribb, & SA Bullard . In press 26 Oct 2015. First record of Transversotrema (Digenea) from the Americas, with comments on the taxonomy of Transversotrema patialense (Soparkar, 1924) Crusz and Sathananthan, 1960 and an updated list of its hosts and geographic distribution. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: McElwain, A., R. Fleming, M. Jaloie, C Maney, B Springall, and SA Bullard. In press 5 November 2015. Pathological changes associated with eggs and larvae of Unionicola sp. (Acari, Unionicolidae) infecting Strophitus connasaugaensis (Bivalvia, Unionidae) from Alabama Creeks. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Roberts*, JR, TR Platt, R. Or�lis-Ribeiro*, & SA Bullard . Submitted 17 September 2015. New genus of blood fluke (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from Malaysian freshwater turtles (Geomydidae) and its phylogenetic placement within the Schistosomatoidea. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Or�lis-Ribeiro* R & SA Bullard. Submitted 21 September 2015. Two new genera of fish blood flukes (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) from catfishes in the Peruvian Amazon. Journal of Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Womble* , MR & SA Bullard. 2016. Taxonomic redescription, morphological and molecular diagnosis, and life cycle of Proterometra catenaria Smith, 1934 (Digenea: Azygiidae) from the Choctawhatchee River, Florida, USA. Comparative Parasitology 83(2):137-148.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Warren**, MB, R Or�lis-Ribeiro*, CF Ruiz*, BT Dang, CR Arias, & SA Bullard . In press 10 Nov 2016. Endocarditis associated with blood fluke infections (Digenea: Aporocotylidae: Psettarium cf. anthicum) among aquacultured cobia (Rachycentron canadum) from Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam. Aquaculture 468:549-557.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Roberts* , JR, R Or�lis-Ribeiro*, BT Dang, KM Halanych, & SA Bullard. 2016. Blood flukes of Asiatic softshell turtles: revision of Coeuritrema Mehra, 1933 (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) and description of a new species infecting Chinese softshell turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis, (Testudines: Trionychidae) cultured in the Da Rang River Basin, Vietnam. Folia Parasitologica 63: 031.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Fogg*, AQ, CF Ruiz*, SS Curran , & SA Bullard. 2016. Parasites from the red lionfish, Pterois volitans from the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf & Caribbean Research.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Roberts* , JR, R Or�lis-Ribeiro*, KM Halanych, CR Arias, & SA Bullard. 2016. New species of Spirorchis MacCallum, 1918 (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) and Spirorchis cf. scripta from chicken turtle, Deirochelys reticularia, (Emydidae), with an emendation and molecular phylogeny of Spirorchis. Folia Parasitologica 63:(doi 10.14411/fp.2016/041)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bagnato* , E, SA Bullard, & F Cremonte. Submitted 7 June 2016; Accepted minor revision 11 Nov 2016. Redescription of Allobenedenia dischizosepta (Suriano, 1975) n. comb. (Monogenoidea: Capsalidae: Trochopodinae) from gill of Argentine sea basses (Acanthistius) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Comparative Parasitology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Or�lis-Ribeiro*, R, KM Halanych, BT Dang, MD Bakenhaster, CR Arias, & SA Bullard . Submitted 19 Aug 2016; minor revision submitted 2 Dec 2016. Two new species of Elopicola (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) from Hawaiian ladyfish, Elops hawaiensis (South China Sea) and Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus (Gulf of Mexico) with a comment on monophyly of elopomorph blood flukes. Parasitology International.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bakenhaster , MD, SA Bullard, SS Curran, DC Kritsky, EH Leone, L Partridge, CF Ruiz*, RM Scharer, & GR Poulakis. Submitted 13 Oct 2016. Parasite component community of smalltooth sawfish off Florida; diversity, conservation concerns, and research applications. Endangered Species Research.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ruiz*, CF, JM Rash, D Besler, JR Roberts*, MB Warren**, CR Arias, & SA Bullard . Submitted 11 Nov 2016. Confirmation of two exotic gill lice species (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae: Salmincola spp.) infecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the southeastern United States. Journal of Parasitology.