Cultured – Wild Interactions: Disease Prevalence in Wild Geoduck Populations

Carolyn Friedman and Brent Vadopalas, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington

R/GD-2

A lack of baseline information on geoduck health and condition hinders the management of this resource. Without prior knowledge of parasites and disease prevalence, it can be difficult to identify the causative agent of an epidemic. Baseline data provides information of possible pathogens and also provides insight into whether the initial outbreak or re-emergence of a disease is related to an endemic or newly introduced parasite.

In the first two years of this five-year project, researchers will characterize parasites and other disease organisms associated with geoducks and determine their prevalence in three wild populations representing southern Puget Sound, Hood Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Animals will be collected during summer and winter to facilitate detection of both warmwater and coldwater infectious organisms.

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