Infection of pearl, oyster pinctada margaritifera with Cliona sp. and subsequent destruction of oyster shell

One of the major problems of pearl oyster cage culture in the persian Gulf is boring and fouling organisms attacking oyster under culture, The infected oyster lose thier commerical longevity, heathy resulting in a decrease in pearl production capability. P. margaritifera is one of the rarest species of pearl oysters in the persian Gull. As such much research arr now being undertaken to study the parasites and thier relationship with host organism in an eftort to protect it's stocks. Cliona sp. has been found to he the most Common parasite, causing much destruction to the oysters. In this article the extent of oysters infested with this parasite and subsequent destruction of oyster shells is described.