Dr. Eileen E. Hofmann
Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography
Monday, February 28, 2005
3:30 PM
Room 109, Crittenton Hall
Abstract
Three aspects of diseases in marine shellfish populations that distinguish these
from diseases in other marine and terrestrial animal populations will be highlighted.
The first, transmission rate, will be illustrated using the transmission of
Haplosporidium nelsoni, a protozoan parasite that causes the disease Multinucleated
Spore Unknown (MSX), in Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations.
Transmission of MSX in oyster populations depends upon non-local environmental
factors, such as season, salinity, and minimum winter temperature. The impact of
environmental conditions on transmission of MSX infective particles can persist for
one to two years. Simulations of the transmission and effect of MSX disease show
that epizootics result primarily from enhanced transmission rather than enhanced
disease intensification. The second feature is that oyster populations can persist
and appear to remain at stable levels even under conditions of high disease prevalence
and intensity. Dermo disease, caused by Perkinsus marinus, provides an example of this
aspect of marine shellfish disease. The focus will be on understanding the combinations
of biological and environmental conditions that allow high disease prevalence and intensity
to persist and the conditions that trigger epizootics. The third aspect will focus on the
potential effects of climate warming and the implications of this for the spread of marine
shellfish diseases and for changes in the prevalence and intensity of these diseases.
Biography
Eileen Hofmann received a B.S. degree in Biology and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in
Marine Sciences and Engineering. She came to Old Dominion University in 1989 and
has been a member of the Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography since its start
in 1991. Her current research is focused on physical-biological interactions in
Antarctic coastal waters, dynamics of marine shellfish populations, and the role
of diseases in regulating marine shellfish populations.
Reception before seminar at 3:00 PM
Crittenton Hall
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
757-683-5548
Last updated 2/04/2005.
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