Detection of Haplosporidium pinnae from Pinna nobilis Faeces

Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) is the largest bivalve endemic to Mediterranean. It distributed in a wide range of coastal environments, including estuaries. has recently become critically endangered species (with almost 100% mortality) along entire Spanish Mediterranean coast. This may be due coinfections caused by Haplosporidium pinnae and bacterial pathogens such as Mycobacterium spp. We extensively sampled P. from Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain), site where individuals still survive. Using conventional PCR, we found 7.1% mantle faecal DNA samples different nobilis. identified quantified using Sanger sequencing qPCR. Faecal H. detection non-invasive, unlike biopsies. Therefore, this non-lethal non-invasive sampling method could contribute welfare living populations, particularly eutrophic they are prone septicaemia. The use analysis major advance epidemiology recovery assessment studies