This Oceanus article examines Quahog Parasite Unknown, a mysterious new threat to the shellfish aquaculture business. Code-named QPX, the parasite is an obscure, single-celled relative of slime mold that has both animal and fungal characteristics. QPX secretes a thick layer of mucus to ward off the clam’s immune response and was responsible for killing nine out of every ten clams in some plots when it first hit the Massachusetts coast in 1993. The article follows the efforts of Woods Hole scientists Roxanna Smolowitz and Rebecca Gast as they learn more about QPX and search for ways to prevent the disease. It also features links to related websites.
