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Lamprey (Geotria australis; Agnatha) reddening syndrome in Southland rivers, New Zealand 2011–2013: laboratory findings and epidemiology, including the incidental detection of an atypical Aeromonas salmonicida

ABSTRACT From 2011, lamprey (Geotria australis) populations in Southland, New Zealand have been affected by reddening along the length of the body and increased mortalities, termed lamprey reddening syndrome (LRS). Molecular testing, bacteriology, histopathology and epidemiology were used to determine if an infectious agent was present and to increase the understanding of this syndrome. An atypical Aeromonas salmonicida was detected from affected lamprey in 2011. This organism has not previously been reported from New Zealand. Investigative molecular testing indicated the organism was an uncharacterised, unculturable, atypical A. salmonicida and a likely incidental finding. Histopathology did not indicate an infectious process was involved, but suggested the reddening may be due to blunt trauma. Epidemiological investigation found the Mokoreta River had a significantly higher prevalence of LRS than others in the Southland region, but there was no clear reason why. To date, no infectious aetiology for this syndrome has been identified.