• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 1999

Mass mortality of the horned turban shell, Batillus cornutus was investigated using histological and bacteriological methods. Some pathogenic bacteria were isolated from mortal or inactive individuals. The pathogenic agents causing mortality of the horned turban shells were as Vibrio alginolyticus and V. anguillarum. Laboratory experiment indicated that optimal growth temperature of two bacteria was 25 to 30$^{\circ}C$ and 3% of NaCl. Histological examination of the horned turban shells showed that gill necrosis is one of the major symptom of infected individuals. It was believed that sudden increase of those two bacterial agents due to environmental change cause mortality of horned turban shells.