| Abstract: | The biological relationships between the oyster pathogen Labyrinthomyxa marina and Aransas Bay Organism, a labyrinthomyxan, were studied both in the laboratory and in the field. These studies indicate that the Aransas Bay Organism has displaced L. marina in Aransas Bay, Texas, and that the former is a virulent pathogen of oysters of all ages. Histopathologically, the two parasites are quite similar; often indistinguishable. In the laboratory it was shown that Aransas Bay Organism could be transmitted by both the proximity method and the injection method. The organisms in question were successfully cultured and the life history and developmental features of Aransas Bay Organism on agar are described. Most stages are illustrated with photographs. Infected oyster tissues were excised and cultured to study the progressive development from the tissues to free colonies on agar. Parasite development in cultured tissues is described, with most stages being illustrated with photographs. |
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