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Article Abstract
During August through September 2018, strandings and mortalities of smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis [Mitchill, 1815 [Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae]) occurred on Brighton Beach and Coney Island Beach (Brooklyn, New York). Each of the 8 smooth dogfish examined grossly exhibited hemorrhagic meninges, turbid and pink to red cerebrospinal fluid, and soft and friable olfactory lobes. Wet mounts of the cerebrospinal fluid and brain showed intense infection by scuticociliates in each smooth dogfish. Histopathologic examination of the infected brain revealed intensity-dependent necrotizing meningoencephalitis. We identified the scuticociliate as Philasterides dicentrarchiDragesco, Dragesco, Coste, Gasc, Romestand, Raymond, and Bouix, 1995 (Philasterida: Philasteridae). Small-subunit ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (SSU rDNA) sequences (604 base pairs) generated from our specimens were identical (100% nucleotide similarity) to morphologically validated GenBank sequences identified as P. dicentrarchi (JX914665). The 18S phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the GenBank sequences identified as "Miamiensis avidus," except for the type culture sequence KX357144 (which, as per the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature, objectively comprises Miamiensis avidusThompson and Moewus, 1964sensu stricto), represent P. dicentrarchi. Hence, mortalities of leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata Girard, 1855 [Carcharniformes: Triakidae]) and of zebra sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum [Forster, 1781] [Orectolobiformes: Stegostomatidae]) in the Northeast Pacific Ocean represent infections by P. dicentrarchi, which have been misidentified as M. avidus previously, and that no evidence exists of M. avidus infecting an elasmobranch. We also provide a comprehensive list of scuticociliates reported to infect fishes and host species infected worldwide.
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MENINGOENCEPHALITIS IN STRANDED SMOOTH DOGFISH (MUSTELUS CANIS) INFECTED BY PHILASTERIDES DICENTRARCHI (PHILASTERIDA: PHILASTERIDAE) IN THE NORTHWESTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN.
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During August through September 2018, strandings and mortalities of smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis [Mitchill, 1815 [Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae]) occurred on Brighton Beach and Coney Island Beach (Brooklyn, New York). Each of the 8 smooth dogfish examined grossly exhibited hemorrhagic meninges, turbid and pink to red cerebrospinal fluid, and soft and friable olfactory lobes. Wet mounts of the cerebrospinal fluid and brain showed intense infection by scuticociliates in each smooth dogfish.
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Article Synopsis
- Sharks can replace lost denticles and also grow new denticles without shedding old ones, which could affect their energy costs and how we study fossil shark populations.
- Research showed that different shark species and body areas have similar rates of missing denticles (0%-6%), but some species, like the smooth dogfish and common thresher shark, have notable differences in denticle loss in specific regions.
- The process of denticle regrowth involves multiple stages, starting from crown development underneath the skin, and ultimately ensures sharks maintain a functional skin surface, which may help in reducing fouling and repairing damage over time.