The Occurrence of the Nuclear Inclusion (NIX) Parasite in Oregon Razor Clams (Siliqua patula), Progress Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Olson, Robert E. and Jack Pierce

Publish Date: 1987

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Razor clam (Siligua patula) populations in Oregon and Washington have fluctuated substantially over the 30 to 40 year period that observations have been recorded by state agencies. Although the causes of these fluctuations are unknown, it has been speculated that they may be associated with El Nino conditions that lead to reduced ocean productivity. The lowest razor clam populations on record in Washington and Oregon were observed in 1983 (Link, 1984; Elston, 1984a). The population lows occurred in conjunction with a major El Nino - warm water anomaly, rather than in a subsequent year, and were apparently the result of a dramatic and abrupt disappearance of clams. This led to an examination of razor clams from Washington for possible lethal clam pathogens and the discovery of a previously undescribed parasite that located within the nuclei of non-ciliated branchial epitheliel cells (Elston, 1984a). The parasite is so far unclassified and has been termed nuclear inclusion X or NIX. Over 600 razor clams from Washington beaches were examined in 1983 and 1984 revealing an infection prevalence of nearly 100% and infection intensity levels in some clams that were high enough that the resulting gill damage suggested a probable fatal outcome. A very small sample of Oregon clams also contained the parasite (Elston, 1984b; 1985). These observations led to interest in the extent of NIX infection in Oregon razor clams. This report gives results of the examination of razor clams from northern and central Oregon Coastal beaches.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: April, 1984 through April, 1985

Geographic Extent: Clatsop beaches (Tillamook Head - Columbia River); Agate Beach near Newport

Status: Final

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Format: PDF

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Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown