Vibrio mediterranei , a potential emerging pathogen of marine fauna: investigation of pathogenicity using a bacterial challenge in Pinna nobilis and development of a species‐specific PCR

AimsExtreme mortality events affecting Pinna nobilis, some associated to Vibrio mediterranei, have depleted many populations of this bivalve. The objective of this study was to demonstrate pathogenicity of V. mediterranei in the host P. nobilis by performing a bacterial challenge in P. nobilis to understand if V. mediterranei has specific virulence in this host. To assist this objective, a secondary objective was to develop a species‐specific DNA diagnostic test.