PRIMO CASO DI IRIDOVIROSI IN STORIONE COBICE (ACIPENSER NACCARII) IN ITALIA: UNA NUOVA PROBLEMATICA PER LA CONSERVAZIONE DI UNA SPECIE MINACCIATA

Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) is an endemic species of the Adriatic basin, evaluated as Critically Endangered (CR) by IUCN and therefore near to extinction. This species has a commercial interest and is threaten by overfishing and habitat destruction. These issues caused a dramatic decline of populations that depend on artificial spawning in farms and fish stocking performed by public administrations. The presence of an intensive breeding for conservation purpose have led to the onset of diseases. Among these, viral diseases represent the major issue. In this respect, from 2016 first and foremost in Europe, and then in Italy has been reported the presence of a new Iridovirus (Acipenser Iridovisrus-European) in different sturgeon’s species. Fish Disease laboratory (IZS PLV) received two plots of five individuals belonged to A. naccarii from sturgeon farm located in North Italy. Clinical signs could be attributed to Iridovirus. Subjects have been tested using molecular protocol proposed by Bigarrè et al., (2016). All samples were positive for Iridovirus. This case is the first record of Iridovirus in Adriatic sturgeon in Italy. Unfortunately, the lack of epidemiological data requires a health monitoring to implement prevention measures. Particularly, all sturgeons intended for stoking purpose should be tested to avoid the transmission of disease in wild populations.