Bettarel Yvan, Thuy N. T., Huy T. Q., Hoang P. K., Bouvier T. (2013). Observation of virus-like particles in thin sections of the bleaching scleractinian coral Acropora cytherea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 93 (4), p. 909-912. ISSN 0025-3154.
Titre du document
Observation of virus-like particles in thin sections of the bleaching scleractinian coral Acropora cytherea
Bettarel Yvan, Thuy N. T., Huy T. Q., Hoang P. K., Bouvier T.
Source
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2013,
93 (4), p. 909-912 ISSN 0025-3154
Virus-like particles were observed in thin sections of partially bleaching colonies of the scleractinian Acropora cytherea, collected in the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area (Vietnam). The most common particles were found in the cytoplasm of epidermal cells, exhibiting icosahedral symmetry and measuring 90-140 nm in diameter. Some had a tail-like structure resembling that of certain Hepadnaviridae such as the hepatitis B virus. Some others were tailless with a virion size. Overall, less than 10% of the cells showed obvious signs of infection. Images of virally-parasitized tissues of A. cytherea provide further evidence that corals are a target for viral infection. However, more research is required into their pathogenicity and involvement in bleaching events.
