White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) prevalence in wild crustaceans in the Bohai Sea

The impacts of mariculture on coastal ecosystems are increasingly raising attention recently. To study the prevalence white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in wild crustaceans, a pathogenic agent cultured shrimps, continuous and large-scale surveys Bohai Sea were firstly conducted from 2016 to 2018. A total 820 samples collected 59 sampling sites. results loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay showed that 11 19 species identified be WSSV positive. Among them, Alpheus distinguendus had highest WSSV-positive rate at 21.9%. percentage positive sites was 76.7%, 55.0%, 43.7% 2016, 2017, 2018, respectively. 17.4%, 12.2% 7.8%, multiple sequence alignment phylogenetic tree analysis VP26 gene cloned crustaceans consistent with those strains previously reported India, China, Brazil, Thailand, as well Mexico, which clustered tightly into one branch. presence virions epithelial cells southern rough shrimp Trachypenaeus curvirostris confirmed by TEM assay, further verifying occurrence infection crustaceans. present demonstrated colonized populations offshore Sea, potential negative impact crustacean together marine ecosystem deserved close investigation. • survey has been conducted. wide host range positivity rates 76.73%, 55.00% 43.75% 2017