Scientific Name: Myxobolus cerebralis
Classification:
Phylum or Division: Myxozoa
Class: Myxosporea
Order: Bivalvulida
Family: Myxobolidae
Subfamily: Platysporin
Identification:
Whirling disease is caused from an infestation of Myxobolus
cerebralis within fish in the family Salmonidae. Myxobolus cerebralis
is a parasitic organism with a complex life cycle requiring two hosts,
Tubifex tubifex and the Salmonidae family of fish. The ingestion of the
myxospore by T. tubifex begins this the life cycle. Once in contact
with the epithelial cell in the lining of the gut, the myxospore
projects its polar filaments into the cell. An amoeba-like sporoplast
then penetrates the hosts cell, and begins to multiply rapidly.
The host cell eventually bursts, releasing triactinomyxon (TAM) spores
into the water. Once in the water, the sporoplasm from the
triactinomyxon penetrates the epidermal or gill epithelial cells in the
fish and begins to replicate itself. These epidermal or gill
epithelial cells rupture and release many replicated cells into the
host cell cytoplasm, only to repeat the cycle again deeper into the
dermis and subcutis layers. The infection eventually makes its
way to the spinal cord and brain and causes pressure on the nerves
which control the pigment cells in the tail resulting in a black tail.
The parasite also migrates to cartilage in the Skelton through the
nervous system. The parasite integrates itself into the host's
cartilage causing deformities in the skeletal structure, and increased
pressure on the brain tissue. This causes the fish to whirl
uncontrollably, and prevents it from effectively
evading predators.
For a good diagram of the life cycle visit: http://water.montana.edu/topics/fisheries/whirling/lifecycle.htm
Image showing infected areas of tail,
spine and brain.
Photo by: K Andree
Original
Distribution: Myxobolus cerebralis is native
to the Eurasian continent. The first confirmed outbreak of
whirling disease occurred in Germany in a non-indigenous species of
rainbow trout, Salmon gairdneri (Hofer, 1903). From 1903 until 1952
whirling disease had been reported from Germany, France, and Denmark
(Bruhl, 1926; Schaperclaus, 1931; Luling, 1952; Vanco, 1992).
Current Distribution: Whirling
disease is found throughout several European countries, in South
Africa, and in
New Zealand. In the United States it has been found in 23 of the 50
states
with Colorado and Montana be the most heavily affected. Fourteen
of
the fifteen major drainages in Colorado contain Myxobolus cerebralis,
the
parasite that causes whirling disease. Five hundred miles of five
major
trout streams (Cache La Poudre, Colorado, Gunnison, South Platte and
Rio
Grande rivers) are showing partial to complete loss of wild rainbow
trout
recruitment over the past five years.
Site and Date of Introduction: In the United States,
Myxobolus cerebralis was first reported in Pennsylvania in 1956 (Graff,
1996). By 1995 it had spread to 21 states (Bergersen & Anderson,
1997). After a review of 1996 data, Bergersen and Anderson (1997)
determined that M. cerebralis had become distributed throughout most
regions of the contiguous 48 states where self-sustaining trout
populations existed. The exceptions were Wisconsin, Minnesota, the
desert southwest and a few areas of isolated populations in Missouri,
Nebraska and the Black Hills of South Dakota (Bergersen & Anderson,
1997)
Mode(s) of Introduction: Myxobolus
cerebralis can be introduced to new regions by the natural flow of
water in the stream,
movement of infected fish and through the digestive tracts of
birds
and other fish who consume an infected fish and then spread the
myxospore
through their feces.
Reason(s) Why it has Become Established: In additon to the natural modes listed above, whirling disease has benefited from the spread of the parasite into fish hatcheries and the subsequent release of these fish stocks into waterways for commercial and sport fishing.
Ecological Role: Myxobolus cerebralis is a parasite that utilizes two hosts species, the Tubifex tubifex and the Salmonidae family of fish. Myxobolus cerebralis provides no benefit to its hosts and is fact damaging to both species.
Benefit(s): There are no beneficial effects to humans or fish populations resulting from Myxobolus cerebralis.
Threat(s): Whirling disease has devastated of wild trout populations on some of the West's most popular streams and the reduced availability of stocking hatchery-reared trout. Whirling disease impact on both wild and hatchery reared trout. Fourteen of the fifteen major drainages in Colorado contain Myxobolus cerebralis. Over five hundred miles of five major trout streams (Cache La Poudre, Colorado, Gunnison, South Platte and Rio Grande rivers) are showing partial to complete loss of wild rainbow trout recruitment over the past five years.
Control Level Diagnosis: Control of Myxobolus cerebralis should be classified as a "Medium Level". Myxobolus cerebralis has had a significant negative impact of Trout and Salmon populations and consequently on sport fishing activities. However, the disease is not likely drastically impact all Salmonidae fish in any one particular region the near future.
Control Method: Research on the control of Myxobolus
cerebralis indicates that while eradication of the species is unlikely,
there is hope that its spread can be controlled through a series of
management practices
and regulation.
- Water-filtering devices using ultraviolet light can be used in hatcheries to kill the Myxobolus cerebralis parasite in help control its spread.
- The spores often reside in geographically localized "hotspots" within rivers often no greater that 20 to 30 square meters in size. Identifying and treating these areas may significantly reduce occurrence of the disease and increase the survival rate for nearby spawning trout.
- Tests are now underway to determent if filtering the parasite from a heavily infected tributary, which may lower the mainstream infection
The U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service have created a
list of management practices to control the spread of the Myxobolus
parasite. Among there recommendations are:
- Do not transport any fish from one body of water to another.
- Do not dispose of fish entrails or other by-products that may hold spores into any body of water or into sinks.
- Drain boats, equipment, coolers, live bait wells and any holder of water which can hold the parasite.
- Thoroughly wash mud from vehicles, boats, trailers, waders, boots, fishing equipment and anything that comes in contact with spores or worms found in the stream bed mud.
- Never transport aquatic plants, and make sure all equipment is cleared of weeds after every use.
- Spores are particularly persistent in felt soled wading shoes. If you have any doubt about contamination, you may treat these with a solution of 10% chlorine bleach and water for at least 15 minutes. Thoroughly rinse with water before using your waders to prevent residual chlorine from entering streams.
http://www.whirling-disease.org/
http://www.whirlingdisease.org/index.htm
http://www.gsmfc.org/nis/nis/Myxobolus_cerebralis.html
http://merops.sanger.ac.uk/speccards/peptidase/SP003043.htm