Pathogenic effects of Vibrio alginolyticus on larvae and postlarvae of the red abalone Haliotis rufescens

Abstract

The pathogen~city of Vibrio alginolyticus on Haliotls rufescens veliger larvae and 4 d old postlarvae was tested in small-scale static bioassays with different bacterial concentrations (10' to 106 cells ml-l). Larval and postlarval survival were evaluated at 24 and 48 h. Results suggest that V alginolyticus can cause massive mortality in larvae of H. rufescens within 24 h at concentrations above 105 cell ml-', while a concentration of 10%ell ml-' is required to produce the same effect in abalone postlarvae. The potential application of these results to hatchery conditions is discussed.