Species Imogine mcgrathi Jennings & Newman, 1996
- Imogene mcgrathi Jennings, K.A. & Newman, L.J. 1996. Four new stylochid flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) associated with commercial oysters from Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland, Australia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 44: 493-508.
Type data:
Holotype QM G210650 (in association with oysters, 16.iv.1992, wholemount), oyster leases, Dialba Passage, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia [27°29'S 153°25'E].
Paratype(s) QM G210651, 653, 656, 659 (wholemount and longitudinal sections), oyster leases, Dialba Passage, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia [27°29'S 153°25'E].
Introduction
This species is an important pest species of commercial oysters and was collected originally in association with Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850)). Imogene mcgrathi is also associated with mussels. In vitro observations of I. mcgrathi showed that specimens eat oysters (Jennings & Newman 1996), and in the field, specimens were found within empty oyster shells. Specimens were also observed within live oysters that showed feeding damage due to the flatworms.
O’Connor & Newman (2001) confirmed that I. mcgrathi preyed upon the oyster species Pinctada imbricata (Röding, 1758) and had the potential to be a major pest of cultured oysters. They found also that hypo- and hypersaline baths could be used to control infestations of the flatworm in commercial settings.
Anderson et al. (1993) reported that specimens of I. mcgrathi (as Stylochus sp.) were infected by a haplosporidian parasite, which they designated as Urosporidium cannoni Anderson, Newman & Adlard, 1993; Jennings & Newman (1996) also recorded this parasite from their specimens of I. mcgrathi.
Distribution
States
New South Wales, Queensland
Extra Distribution Information
Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia. Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia.
General References
Jennings, K.A. & Newman, L.J. 1996. Four new stylochid flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) associated with commercial oysters from Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland, Australia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 44: 493-508
O'Connor, W.A. & Newman, L.J. 2001. Halotolerance of the oyster predator, Imogine mcgrathi, a stylochid flatworm from Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia. Hydrobiologia 459: 157-163
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "TURBELLARIA" | 02-Aug-2012 | ADDED | Dr Kathryn Hall |