Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Marine Pollution Bulletin journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/marpolbul Baseline The fungus Pestalotiopsis sp., isolated from Perna perna (Bivalvia:Mytilidae) cultured on marine farms in Southeastern Brazil and destined for human consumption Antonia Lúcia dos Santos a, ⁎ , João Victor Ferreira de Medeiros a , Carlos Eduardo Grault b , Manoel José Soares Santos a,1 , André Luiz Almeida Souza c , Raimundo Wilson de Carvalho a a Departamento de CiênciasBiológicas, Laboratório de ParasitologiaAmbiental, ENSP/FIOCRUZ, Brazil b Departamento de CiênciasBiológicas/Laboratório de Esquistossomose, ENSP, FIOCRUZ, Brazil c Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Ensino de Bioquímica, FACBS, UNIG, Brazil ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Aquatic filamentous fungi Pestalotiopsis Mariculture Toxic fungi ABSTRACT The Pestalotiopsis sp. genus comprises filamentous fungi whose species present both pathogenic and clinical- industrial importance. The cultivation and production of bivalve molluscs in regions of Rio de Janeiro is lu- crative both artisanally and industrially, as the climate, geography and water quality favor the practice of this activity throughout the year at reduced costs, making the region competitive in the national market. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify filamentous fungi associated with the internal tissue anatomy of bivalve molluscs (Perna perna) from mariculture farms. Samples collected from BEMAR marine farms were dissected and transferred to 1% hypochlorite, washed in sterile distilled water and sown on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (BDA). After four days, a white colony, displaying vigorous mycelium, cotton-like with abundant sporulation and black conidia masses was isolated. Observations concerning vegetative and reproductive structures were performed by microcultures stained with Amann's Lactophenol andCotton Blue. Micromorphology analyses indicated spindle and septated conidia, with two to three apical filiform appendages and a short basal pedicel. The result indicates that bivalve mollusks may be bioindicators for the presence of Pestalotiopsis sp; associated with water transport, possibly due to diluted sediments in the medium. No infectious processes or lesions in the processed material were observed. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of Pestalotiopsis sp; in Perna perna mytilids. 1. Introduction The Pestalotiopsis sp. genus, described by Steyaert in 1949, is a fi- lamentous fungus, prenting an asexual life cycle/reproductive cycle. Species belonging to this genus display pathogenic, medical and bio- logical importance. Perna perna Linnaeus mytilids, 1758 present dietary characteristics that make them adequate biological contamination in- dicators in the aquatic environment. Bivalve mollusks are benthic ani- mals that live in close relationship with the inner and outer substrate and sediment. Feeding occurs through water filtration, so these or- ganisms have capacity to store and accumulate certain pathogens, such as viruses (Leal and Franco, 2008; Potasman et al., 2002; Wittman and Flick, 1995), fungi and saprophytes (Sallenave-Namont et al., 2000;) bacteria (Pereira et al., 2007) and protozoa (Lévesque et al., 2010; Santos et al., 2017) in their digestive tract. Thus, they may become possible pathogen transmitters to humans, which may be of concern when consumed in natura or lightly cooked. Mariculture and the cultivation of bivalve molluscs on sea farms, especially for commercial purposes, are a global activity that con- tributes significantly to the economic growth of many countries. This productive activity must follow the sustainability principles based on environmental prevention, profitable production and social growth. Aquatic mytilids play a significant role in mariculture activities in Brazil, with over 479,000 tons of seafood produced per year (FDA, 2011). In the southern region of Rio de Janeiro, mariculture is a growing activity. Perna perna Linnaeus, 1758, mytilids have been proven of significant importance for the development of open sea aquaculture in Brazil, due to the high productivity and adaptability of https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110976 Received 6 February 2020; Accepted 10 February 2020 ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: antonia.santos@ensp.fiocruz.br (A.L. dos Santos). 1 Deceased. Marine Pollution Bulletin 153 (2020) 110976 Available online 21 February 2020 0025-326X/ © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. T