CCMAR SEMINARS

02 de maio, 13h30 | Anf. C (CP)

In vitro production of the dinoflagellate fish parasite Amyloodinium ocellatum - Perspectives and applications

Márcio Moreira

(EPPO-IPMA and CCMAR )

Abstract

Fish diseases are one of the main problems in aquaculture, representing severe annual costs to producers. Amongst them, parasitic diseases can have a major impact on global finfish and shellfish aquaculture, representing a key constraint to production, sustainability and economic viability of aquaculture facilities. Amyloodiniosis is a parasitic disease caused by the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum (Brown), that provokes fast and asymptomatic outbreaks, with acute morbidity and mortality in brackish and marine warm water fish on different aquaculture facilities worldwide, being a major threat for semi-intensive aquaculture, especially in Southern Europe. There is scarce information available at some levels (genetic, metabolic, …) about this parasite. To address this problem, we are trying to develop a low-cost system to improve the production of the three life phases of A. ocellatum in vitro. In this seminar we will present the results already obtained, and the potential of this system to improve the overall knowledge of the parasite and development of more effective treatments for amyloodiniosis.

Short CV

BsC in Marine Biology (Universidade do Algarve), with a MsC in Aquaculture and Fisheries (Universidade do Algarve). I am currently in PhD on Marine Sciences and Environment at the Universidade do Algarve (Portugal). I have 9 years of experience in microbiology, parasitology, pathology, immunology and haematology of marine fish, obtained at mainly at the Aquaculture Research Station - Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (EPPO-IPMA) and Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR –Universidade do Algarve). I am currently working mainly in the elucidation of the physiological responses of the host to the parasitic dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum.

Poster