Question

WSSV was predomonently seen and much damage caused in

• A. Freshwater prawn
• B. White leg shrimp
• C. Tiger shrimp
• D. Indian white shrimp

Hint:

WSSV is the most dreaded virus in the shrimp world. It ended the "Golden Age" of Tiger shrimp farming in India. If the question asks about a virus affecting shrimp, 9 times out of 10, it's WSSV.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks which species was most severely affected by White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) during the initial outbreaks and subsequent collapse of the Indian shrimp industry in the 1990s.
Detailed Explanation:

• WSSV Overview: White Spot Syndrome Virus is a highly contagious and lethal viral pathogen of penaeid shrimps. It is characterized by white calcium spots on the carapace and rapid mortality (up to 100% in 3-10 days).

• The Victim - Tiger Shrimp (C): In India and across Asia, the Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was the mainstay of the aquaculture industry. The WSSV epidemic in the mid-1990s devastated P. monodon farms, leading to massive economic losses.

• Shift to SPF Vannamei: Because Tiger shrimp were so susceptible to WSSV and it was difficult to develop Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) broodstock for them, the industry eventually shifted to the White leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in the 2000s.

• Vulnerability: While L. vannamei is also susceptible to WSSV, the damage to P. monodon is considered historically more significant because it destroyed the dominant commercial monoculture of that time.

Step 2: Final Answer:
The Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was the species most predominantly damaged by WSSV.