Geographic information systems (GIS) and kriging: Analysis of the spatialand temporal distributions of the oyster pathogen Perkinsus marinus in adeveloped and an undeveloped estuary

摘要

Infection and prevalence of Perkinsus marinus (Dermo), a common protozoan pathogen of the oyster (Crassostrea virginica), are commonly correlated with temperature and salinity. However, these factors do not account for all infection variability. Other factors such as watershed dynamics or anthropogenic disturbances may play a role. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology applying land use and anthropogenic activity was used to document Dermo infections in two South Carolina coastal estuaries. Kriging analysis was used to calculate disease prevalence from sample sites to the estuary as a whole. Results indicate that land use patterns may affect the distribution of the disease.