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John Odenkirk

Publications and source records attributed to John Odenkirk.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2025

Novel adomaviruses associated with blotchy bass syndrome in black basses ( Micropterus spp. )

Black bass ( Micropterus spp. ) are the most important warmwater game fishes in the United States. They have high socioeconomic and recreational value and support an important aquaculture industry. Since 2008, fisheries managers have been reporting the observation of hyperpigmented melanistic lesions (HPMLs) on smallmouth bass ( M. dolomieu ) in different ecoregions of the United States. Similar HPMLs have been observed in largemouth bass ( M. nigricans ) since the 1980’s. Here, we report the association between novel adomaviruses and the hallmark blotchy clinical presentation of hyperpigmented lesions on the skin of smallmouth and largemouth black bass. The two adomaviruses are structurally and phylogenetically similar but share only 68.0% identity at aligned nucleotide sites and each has been found in only one host species to date. The manifestation of this skin disease appears to be seasonal (observed between the fall and spring) in both species, primarily affects adults and is of unknown health consequence. Although the significance of infection to fish health remains unclear, understanding the disease ecology of these viruses can inform biosecurity and the interjurisdictional movement of individuals. Moreover, as hyperpigmentation in other fish species is often idiopathic, our findings reframe perspectives for future investigations into this clinical presentation in other species.

Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia↗
USGS2025

Hiding in plain sight: Genomic characterization of a novel nackednavirus and evidence of diverse adomaviruses in a hyperpigmented lesion of a largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus nigricans ) are popular both as a sportfish and an aquaculture species. At present, six described viruses are associated with LMB, of which two are typically considered in cases of LMB mortality events. Advances in discovery and diagnostic capabilities using next-generation sequencing have augmented surveillance efforts and subsequently led to the discovery of novel cryptogenic viruses. Here, we present evidence of three novel viruses from a single skin sample collected from a hyperpigmented melanistic lesion of an LMB with blotchy bass syndrome associated with MnA-1 co-infection. These viruses represent recently described groups of viruses (adomaviruses and nackednaviruses) that infect fish. Both are markedly understudied and of unknown significance to fish health. This work highlights the diversity of viruses associated with LMB and further advances our understanding of the LMB virome. Application of de novo sequencing approaches presents an opportunity to explore a new frontier of host–pathogen relationships and microbes associated with changing environments.

Virginia↗
USGS2025

Novel adomaviruses associated with blotchy bass syndrome in black basses (Micropterus spp.)

Black bass ( Micropterus spp. ) are the most important warmwater game fishes in the United States. They have high socioeconomic and recreational value and support an important aquaculture industry. Since 2008, fisheries managers have been reporting the observation of hyperpigmented melanistic lesions (HPMLs) on smallmouth bass ( M. dolomieu ) in different ecoregions of the United States. Similar HPMLs have been observed in largemouth bass ( M. nigricans ) since the 1980’s. Here, we report a close association between novel adomaviruses and the hallmark blotchy clinical presentation of hyperpigmented lesions on the skin smallmouth and largemouth black bass and provide evidence that satisfies Rivers’ postulates. The two adomaviruses are structurally and phylogenetically similar but share only 68.0% identity at aligned nucleotide sites and each has been found in only one host species to date. The manifestation of this skin disease appears to be seasonal in both species, primarily affects adults and is of unknown health consequence. Although the significance of infection to fish health remains unclear, understanding the disease ecology of these can inform biosecurity and the interjurisdictional movement of individuals. Moreover, as hyperpigmentation in other fish species is often idiopathic, our findings reframe perspectives for future investigations into this clinical presentation in other species.

BioRxiv↗
USGS2013

Identification of largemouth bass virus in the introduced Northern snakehead inhabiting the Cheasapeake Bay watershed

The Northern Snakehead Channa argus is an introduced species that now inhabits the Chesapeake Bay. During a preliminary survey for introduced pathogens possibly harbored by these fish in Virginia waters, a filterable agent was isolated from five specimens that produced cytopathic effects in BF-2 cells. Based on PCR amplification and partial sequencing of the major capsid protein (MCP), DNA polymerase (DNApol), and DNA methyltransferase (Mtase) genes, the isolates were identified as Largemouth Bass virus (LMBV). Nucleotide sequences of the MCP (492 bp) and DNApol (419 pb) genes were 100% identical to those of LMBV. The nucleotide sequence of the Mtase (206 bp) gene was 99.5% identical to that of LMBV, and the single nucleotide substitution did not lead to a predicted amino acid coding change. This is the first report of LMBV from the Northern Snakehead, and provides evidence that noncentrarchid fishes may be susceptible to this virus.

Chesapeake Bay↗