We sampled Armina californica collected by the FHL Neurobiology class (Jim Murray). The animals had been collected several weeks prior and were held in a single tank at FHL. Some showed signs of dorsal erosion and slight blistering. Samples were excised of the dorsal lesions and sent to Cornell by Drew Harvell for histology. We observed RLO colonies in what appears to be digestive gland:
Figure 1. Armina digestive gland with RLO colonies 20x magnification.
Figure 2. RLO colony 100x magnification in Armina.
July 29, 2010
Jim Murray's class collected more Armina californica from: south of Seattle, near Tacoma?
One very moribund (may be dead) and two alive with initial lesions (white discoloration and erosion on dorsal epithelium). Jim excised brains from two live and then we took cross sections and placed in 4% formalin for 4 d (oops). Parallel samples were placed in 100% ethanol for PCR analyses.
A. early lesion from new collection (2 cassettes)
B. Had two lesions on back
C. Dead Armina
Sent for histology 8-3-10.
Aug 2, 2010
Sampled two more Armina:
D: One from old group with white lesions on dorsal surface
E. One from the new group collected July 28th, 2010 - this animal has a dark, bumpy lesion with black spots, which is different from the typical white eroded lesions seen previously.
Future plans:
1. Extract DNA from samples
2. Amplify with WSRLO primers and universal eubacterial primers
3. Clone and sequence
4. make PCR assay and ISH assay
5. Publish in Science (then wake up and publish in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms or Journal of Aquatic Animal Health)