| 1 | Parasitic copepods in Saccostrea cucullata (Born, 1778), a mangrove associated oyster at Pitchavaram backwaters, southeast coast of India Parasitic copepods have been identified from the edible oyster Saccostrea cucullata (Born, 1778)(Ostreidae: Bivalvia). These oysters are always found around the mangrove-associated areas and they are consumed by the local coastal populace around Pitchavaram backwaters, Tamil Nadu, India. It is found that these oysters are affected by parasitic copepods, each host invariably contains 0-6 in number. They were identified as Ostrincola portonoviensis (Reddiah) (Myicolidae). These myicolid copepods are also reported in clams of Parangipettai coastal waters. The rate of infestation was not very high in oysters. Through microbial assays, the association of pathogenic bacteria Vibrio sp. with the copepods has also been studied. The association of parasitic copepods and pathogenic bacteria can cause further stress and irritation to the oysters. Source: Maran, B.A.V.; Ayyakkannu, K. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Creeks, Estuaries and Mangroves - Pollution and Conservation, 28th to 30th November, 2002, Thane. Quadros, G. ed. 2002; 132-134. 1220.
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