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Figuring out just what has been causing these mass mortalities has been a years-long process for researchers. Jordan Richard, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Wisconsin, and his team found the novel densovirus among 17 different viruses in the mussel population. This one, however, was 11 times more likely to be found in sick mussels. While researchers have not conclusively shown that this virus is the cause of the mass mortalities, Traci DuBose, an ecologist at Virginia Tech, believes that the virus, climate change, and other threats, may be a perfect storm of deadly conditions, “It all goes hand in hand.”
While densoviruses are known to cause epidemics in species like “shrimp, cockroaches, crickets, moths, crayfish, and sea stars” researchers face a challenge researching their effects on mussels. There is no established model for observing the effects of disease on mussels in a laboratory setting. Tony Goldberg, a veterinary epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin explains, “Mussels are the dark matter of wildlife disease. We know they exist, we know they’re important, but we don’t know what they’re made up of. We’re really starting from scratch.” Eric Leis, a Fish and Wildlife Service biologist agrees, “it’s almost like trying to find a unicorn.”
Despite facing challenges, researchers are excited to have the public’s attention. They credit the COVID-19 pandemic for sharply raising awareness of viruses. “People now are in tune with viruses as societal and natural disrupters. They’re taking them more seriously all around. It is good timing,” said Dr. Goldberg. His colleague, Mr. Richard, agrees, “It’s a great time to be talking about viruses and obscure animals.”
UNESCO has launched a new program to collect, analyze, and monitor environmental DNA (AKA eDNA) to better understand biodiversity at its marine World Heritage sites. Scientists will collect genetic material from fish cells, mucus, and waste across multiple locations along with eDNA from soil, water, and air. The two-year project will help experts assess […]
It’s about time we had a conversation about the birds and the bees…or in this case, the otters and the seagrass. A new study found that the ecological relationship between sea otters and the seagrass fields where they make their home is spurring the rapid reproduction of the plants. Otters dig up about 5% of […]
By Amy Lupica, ODP Daily Editor An abandoned oil tanker off the coast of Yemen is deteriorating rapidly, and experts say that a hull breach could have far-reaching environmental impacts and threaten millions of people’s access to food and water supplies. The FSO SAFER tanker holds 1.1 million barrels of oil — more than four […]
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