R.B. Nehring | USGS Science

USGS2005

The severity of Whirling disease among wild trout corresponds to the differences in genetic composition of tubifex tubifex populations in Central Colorado

We analyzed the geographic distribution of Tubifex tubifex from various river drainages in central Colorado by genetic screening with specific mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (mt 16S rDNA) markers. Four distinct mt 16S rDNA lineages are evident. The sites varied with respect to land- and water-use practices. All sites represented habitats presumed capable of supporting oligochaetes. At the locations where whirling disease has had the greatest impact on resident rainbow trout, T. tubifex, representing lineages I and III (genotypes known to be susceptible to Mxyobolus cerebralis), were most commonly found. In contrast, at sites less affected by whirling disease, T. tubifex of lineages V and VI that are more resistant to M. cerebralis infections were more abundant. The predominance of resistant T. tubifex worms (lineages V and VI) at low-impact sites supports the conclusion that when these genotypes are in greater abundance, the potential for more severe effects of whirling disease on wild rainbow trout populations may be diminished. ?? American Society of Parasitologists 2005.

Journal of Parasitology↗

USGS2001

Lack of selection for resistance to whirling disease among progeny of Colorado River rainbow trout

We compared the resistance to whirling disease of two groups of Colorado River rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and a domestic strain of rainbow trout in a controlled laboratory challenge. These three groups represented the progeny of wild rainbow trout known to have recruited (1) during the early years of infestation by Myxobolus cerebralis of the Colorado River or (2) before the presence of M. cerebralis in the system and (3) the Erwin strain of rainbow trout. The severity of whirling disease in each group was dependent on the dose of triactinomyxons of M. cerebralis to which the fish were exposed. Microscopic lesions and spore counts both increased with increasing parasite dose. Survival of the progeny of Colorado fish that recruited before the presence of M. cerebralis in the system was significantly less than was that of the domestic fish exposed to 0 and 1,000 triactinomyxons/fish. The parents that recruited to the system before the presence of M. cerebralis were considerably older than were those used for our domestic strain; this difference in parent age probably resulted in the difference in survival because egg quality decreases with age in rainbow trout. There was no difference in microscopic lesions, spore counts, or swimming performance among the three groups of rainbow trout when exposed at the same parasite level, indicating that there was no difference in resistance to whirling disease among these groups of fish.

Journal of Aquatic Animal Health↗