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Meet our Dept. Chair

Kimberly S. Reece

Professor

Email: [[v|kreece]]
Phone: (804) 684-7407
Office: Chesapeake Bay Hall 226
Section: Ecosystem Health
Interests: Molecular/genetic analysis of aquaculture species, shellfish disease pathogens.
Website: {{https://www.vims.edu/research/units/labgroups/marinegenetics/index.php,Marine and Aquaculture Genetics}}

Education

B.S.  University of Rochester
Ph.D.  Cornell University

Interests

Molecular/genetic analysis of aquaculture species, harmful algal bloom species (HABs) and marine disease pathogens.

  • Shellfish Genetics:  The goal of these projects is to develop and utilize molecular genetic markers for aquacultured species including the hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria and M. campechiensis, and the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Molecular markers are used for population genetic analyses, genetic tracking restoration efforts and examination of genetic interactions between hatchery stocks and wild populations. In addition, these markers are used to develop genetic maps and can provide information to facilitate breeding programs when markers are found linked to traits of interest such as disease resistance or resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of protozoan parasites: I have done extensive molecular phylogenies of protozoan parasites particularly focused on Perkinsus species and members of the phylum Haplosporidia, which are found around the world. Many of these parasites are harmful pathogens of commercially important molluscs.
  • Molecular diagnostics targeting harmful algal bloom (HAB) organisms and marine pathogens: Molecular assays are used to detect HAB and pathogen species in finfish, shellfish and environmental water and sediment samples. Some of the targeted pathogens include the oyster herpes-like virus (OsHV-1 and OsUV-1 mvars), Hematodinium perezi, which infects blue crabs, vibrio species that are pathogenic to humans and shellfish, as well as other oyster pathogens including several Perkinsus species. These assays support monitoring programs and ecological studies that advance our understanding of disease dynamics including transmission.
  • Toxicity studies of HAB species:  These studies examine toxic effects of HAB species found in Chesapeake Bay including Alexandrium monilatum, Karlodinium veneficum and Margalefidinium polykrikoides, on aquatic organisms through laboratory and field experiments.

Projects & Support

Development of molecular markers to enable advancement of the southern hard clam (Mercenaria campechiensis) restoration and aquaculture. With J McDowell (VIMS), S Hesterberg (Gulf Shellfish Institute), A Collins (FL Sea Grant), C Hemmel (Bay Shellfish Co.), 2024-2027; NOAA Aquaculture

Development of new qPCR assays and molecular analyses of HAB samples in VA waters of Chesapeake Bay. 2025-2026; VA Dept. of Health

Knowledge is power: Resolving the geographic distribution and host range of OsHV-1 on the East and Gulf coasts to mitigate impediments on shellfish aquaculture commerce. With CA Burge (CA Fish & Wildlife, UC Davis), RB Carnegie (VIMS), 2022-2025; NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy

Regional MERHAB: Developing a monitoring and forecast system for Margalefidinium polykrikoides and Alexandrium monilatum in the lower Chesapeake Bay. With M Mulholland (ODU), P St-Laurent, M Friedrichs et al. (VIMS), 2023-2028; MERHAB NOAA

Investigating biotic and abiotic drivers that modulate pathogen transmission in a marine system. With JD Shields, R Lipcius (VIMS), J Shi, L Shaw (W&M main), 2022-2027; NSF

Publications





Fortin, S.G., Song, B.K., Anderson, I.C. and K.S. Reece (2022) Blooms of the harmful algae Margalefidinium polykrikoides and Alexandrium monilatum alter the York River Estuary microbiome. Harmful Algae 114:102216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2022.102216
Quin, Q., Shen, J. and K.S. Reece (2022) A deterministic model for understanding nonlinear viral dynamics in oysters. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 88(8):e02360-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02360-21
Audemard, C., Reece, K.S., Latour, R.J., Bienlien, L.M. and R.B. Carnegie (2022) Influence of oyster genetic background on levels of human pathogenic Vibrio spp. Aquaculture 562(1):738763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738763
Bienlien, L.M., Audemard, C., Reece, K.S. and R.B. Carnegie (2021) Impact of parasitism on levels of human- pathogenic Vibrio species in eastern oysters. J. Appl. Microbiol. 132(2). https:// doi.org/10.1111/jam.15287
Ben-Horin, T., Audemard, C., Calvo, L., Reece, K.S. and D. Bushek (2021) Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus increase in intertidal-farmed oysters in the mid-Atlantic region, but only at low tide. N. Am. J. Aquac. 84:95-104.  https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10218
Harris, C.M., Krock, B., Tillmann, U., Tainter, C.J., Stec, D.F., Andersen, A.J.C., Larsen, T.O., Reece, K.S. and T.M. Harris (2021) Alkalai metal-and acid-catalyzed interconversion of goniondomin A with congeners B and C. J. Nat. Prod. 84(9):2554-2567.  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00586
Bienlien, L.M., Audemard, C., Reece, K.S. and R.B. Carnegie (2021) Impact of parasitism on levels of human-pathogenic Vibrio species in eastern oysters. J. Appl. Microbiol. 00:1-12.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.15287
Chowdhury, M.S.N., Reece, K.S., Joy, S.S., Coen, L.D. and A.C. Smaal (2021) Morphological and mitochondrial DNA analyses of oysters in the northern Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. J. Shellfish Res. 40(2):213-229.  https://doi.org/10.2983/035.040.0203
Qin, Q., Shen, J., Reece, K.S. and M.R. Mullholland (2021) Developing a 3D mechanistic model for examining factors contributing to harmful blooms of Margalefidinium polykrikoides in a temperate estuary. Harmful Algae 105:102055.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.102055
Himes, A.R., Rivest, E.B., McDowell, J.R., Reece, K.S. and R.A. Snyder (2021) Assessing environmental tolerance of Mercenaria mercenaria along the east coast of the United States. Integr. Comp. Biol. 61:E381-E381.  https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab001
Onofrio, M.D., Egerton, T.A., Reece, K.S., Pease, S.K.D., Sanderson, M.P., Jones III, W., Yeargan, E., Roach, A., DeMent, C., Wood, A., Reay, W.G., Place, A.R. and J.L. Smith (2021) Spatiotemporal distribution of phycotoxins and their co-occurrence within nearshore waters. Harmful Algae 103:101993.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2021.101993
de Melo, C.M.R., Divilov, K., Durland, E., Schoolfield, B., Davis, J., Carnegie, R.B., Reece, K.S., Evans, F., and C. Langdon (2021) Introduction and evalutation on the US West Coast of a new strain (Midori) of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) collected from the Ariake Sea, southern Japan. Aquaculture 531:735970.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735970

Pease, S.K.D., Reece, K.S., O'Brien, J., Hobbs, P.L.M. and J.L. Smith (2021) Oyster hatchery breakthrough of two HABs and potential effects on larval Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Harmful Algae 101:101965.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2020.101965
Dungan, C.F. and K.S. Reece (2020) Chapter 5.2.1: Perkinsus spp. Infections of Marine Mollusks. The American Society Fish Health Section Bluebook. https://units.fisheries.org/fhs/fish-health-section-blue-book-2020/section-1-diagnostic/
Reece, K.S., R.W. Litaker, Place, A.R. and W.K. Vogelbein (2020) Pfiesteria: a common estuarine dinoflagellate with a colorful past. In: Dinoflagellates: Classification, Evolution and Ecological Significance. Ed. D.V. Subba Rao, Ch. 9, pp. 303-351. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, NY, USA.
Reece, K.S., Burreson, E.M., Gibson, D.M., Hildebrandt, S.S. and I Fenwick (2020) The Chesapeake Bay Oyster: Cobblestone to Keystone. In: Diet for a Sustainable Ecosystem: The science for recovering the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its people. Ed. B. Cuker. Series: Estuaries of the World, Ed. J.P. Ducrotoy. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham, Switzerland.
Harris, C.M., Reece, K.S. and T.M. Harris (2020) Revisiting the toxin profile of Alexandrium pseudogonyaulax; Formation of a desmethyl congener of goniodomin A. Toxicon. 188:122-126.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.09.013
Harris, C.M., Reece, K.S., Stec, D.F., Scott, G.P., Jones, W.M., Hobbs, P.L.M. and T.M Harris (2020) The toxin goniodomin, produced by Alexandrium spp., is identical to goniodomin A. Harmful Algae 92:101707.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2019.101707

Friedman, C.S., Reece, K.S., Wippel, B.J.T., Agnew, M.V., Dègremont, L., Dhar, A.K., Kirkland, P., MacIntyre, A., Morga, B., Robison, C. and C.A. Burge (2020) Unraveling concordant and varying responses of oyster species to Ostreid Herpesvirus 1 variants. Science of the Total Environment 739:139752.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139752
Burge, C.A., Reece, K.S., Dhar, A.K., Kirkland, P., Morga, B. Dégremont, L., Faury, N., Wippel, B.J.T., MacIntyre, A. and C.S. Friedman (2020) First comparison of French and Australian OsHV-1 µvars by bath exposure. Dis. Aquat. Org. 138:137-144.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03452  
Wolny, J.L., Tomlinson, M.C., Schollaert Uz, S., Egerton, T.A., McKay, J.R., Meredith, A., Reece, K.S., Scott, G.P. and  R.P. Stumpf (2020) Current and future remote sensing of harmful algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay to support the shellfish industry. Frontiers in Marine Science 7:337.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00337
Tainter, C.J., Schley, N.D., Harris, C.M., Stec, D.F., Song, A.K., Balinski, A., May, J.C., Mclean, J.A., Reece, K.S. and T.M. Harris (2020) Algal toxin goniodomin A binds potassium ion selectively to yield a conformationally altered complex with potential biological consequences. J. Nat. Prod. 83(4):1069-1081.  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01094
Small, H.J., Huchin-Mian, J.P., Reece, K.S., Pagenkopp-Lohan, K., Butler IV, M.J. and J.D. Shields (2019) Parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi prevalence in larval and juvenile blue crabs Callinectes sapidus from coastal bays of Virginia. Dis. Aquat. Org. 134(3):215-222.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03371
Small, H.J., Stentiford, G.D., Behringer, D.C., Freeman, M.A., Atherley, N.A.M., Reece, K.S., Bateman, K.S. and J.D. Shields (2019) Characterization of microsporidian Ameson herrnkindi sp.nov. infecting Carribean spiny lobsters Panulirus argus. Dis. Aquat. Org. 136(3):209-218.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03406
Turley, B., Reece, K.S., Shen, J., Guo, X. and J.R. McDowell (2019) Multiple drivers of interannual oyster settlement and recruitment in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Cons. Genet. 20(5):1057-1071.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-019-01194-0
Guévélou, E., Carnegie, R.B., Small, J.M., Hudson, K., Reece, K.S., Rybovich, M.M. and S.K. Allen Jr. (2019) Tracking triploid mortalities of Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. J. Shellfish Res. 38:101-113.  https://doi.org/10.2983/035.038.0110
Burreson, E.M., Reece, K.S. and F. Dunker (2019) A new species of Ostreobdella (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae) infesting rockfishes in the genus Sebastes (Sebastidae) in marine public aquaria on the northern California coast, U.S.A. Comparat. Parasitol. 86:30-37.  https://doi.org/10.1654/1525-2647-86.1.30
Audemard, C., Kator H.I. and K.S. Reece (2018) High salinity relay as a post-harvest processing method for reducing Vibrio vulnificus levels in oysters (Crassostrea virginica). J. Food Microbiol. 279:70-79.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.04.043
Pagenkopp Lohan, K., Hill-Spanik, K., Torchin, M., Fleischer, R., Carnegie, R., Reece, K.S. and G. Ruiz (2018) Phylogeography and connectivity of molluscan parasites: Perkinsus spp. in Panama and boyond. Inter. J. Parasit. 48:135-144.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.014
Kang, H.-S., Yang, H.-S., Reece, K.S., Cho, Y.-G., Lee, H.-M., Kim, C.-W. and K.S. Choi (2017) Survey on Perkinsus species in Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Korean waters using species-specific PCR. Fish Pathol. 52:202-205.  https://doi.org/10.3147/jsfp.52.202
Reece, K.S., Scott, G.P., Dang, C. and C.F. Dungan (2017) A novel monoclonal Perkinsus chesapeaki in vitro isolate from an Australian cockle, Anadara trapezia. J. Invert. Pathol. 148:86-93.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2017.05.007
Vandersea, M.W., Kibler, S.R., Van Sant, S.B., Tester, P.A., Eckert, G., Camarata, C., Reece, K.S., Scott, G.P., Place, A., Holderied, K., Hondolero, D. and R.W. Litaker (2017) qPCR assays for Alexandrium fundyense and A. ostenfeldii identified from Alaskan coastal waters and a review of species-specific Alexandrium molecular assays. Phycologia 56:303-320.  https://doi.org/10.2216/16-41.1
Kang, H.-S., Yang, H.-S., Reece, K.S., Hong, H.-K., Park, K.-I. and K.-S. Choi (2016) First report of P. honshuensis in the variegated carpet shell clam Ruditapes variegatus in Korea. Dis. Aquat. Org. 122:35-41.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03063
Glandon, H.L., Michaelis, A.K., Politano, V.A., Alexander, S.T., Vlahovich, E.A., Reece, K.S., Koopman, H.N., Meritt, D.W. and K.T. Paynter (2016) Impact of environment and ontogeny on relative fecundity and egg quality of female oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from four sites in Northern Chesapeake Bay. Biol. Bull. 231:185-198.  https://doi.org/10.1086/691066
Hill-Spanik, K.M., McDowell, J.R., Stokes, N.A., Reece, K.S., Burreson, E.M. and R.B. Carnegie (2015) Phylogeographic perspective on the distribution and dispersal of a marine pathogen, oyster parasite Bonamia exitiosa. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 536:65-76.  https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11425
Ramilo, A., Carrasco, N., Reece, K.S., Valencia, J.M., Grau, A., Aceituno, P., Rojas, M., Gairin, I., Dolores Furones, M., Abollo, E. and A. Villalba (2015) Update of information on perkinsosis in NW Mediterranean coast: Identification of Perkinsus spp. (Protista) in new locations and hosts. J. Invert. Pathol. 125:37-41.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.12.008
Dang, C., Dungan, C.F., Scott, G.P. and K.S. Reece (2015) Perkinsus sp. infections and in vitro isolates from Anadara trapezia (mud arks) of Queensland, Australia. Dis. Aquat. Org. 113:31-58.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02816
da Silva, P.M., Scardua, M.P., Vianna, R.T., Mendonça, R.C., Vieira, C.B., Dungan, C.F., Scott, G.P. and K.S. Reece (2014) Two Perkinsus spp. infect Crassostrea gasar oysters from cultured and wild populations of the Rio São Francisco estuary, Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. J. Inv. Parasit. 119:62-71.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.04.005
Hill, K.M., Stokes, N.A., Webb, S.C., Hine, P.M., Kroeck, M.A., Moore, J.D., Morley, M.S. Reece, K.S., Burreson, E.M. and R.B. Carnegie (2014) Phylogenetics of Bonamia parasites based on small subunit and internal transcribed spacer region ribosomal DNA sequence data. Dis. Aquat. Org. 110:33-54.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02738
Pagenkopp Lohan, K.M., McDowell, J.R., Shields, J.D. and K.S. Reece (2014) Genotypic variation in the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi along the Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia. Mar. Biol. 161(2):261-273.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2332-3
Gauthier, D.T., Audemard, C.A., Carlsson, J.E.L., Darden, T.L., Denson, M.R., Reece, K.S. and J. Carlsson (2013) Genetic population structure of US Atlantic coastal striped bass (Morone saxatilis). J. Hered. 104(4):510-520.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jhered/est031
Pagenkopp Lohan, K.M., Small, H.J., Shields, J.D., Place, A.R. and K.S. Reece (2013) Conservation in the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region of Hematodinium perezi from Callinectes sapidus. Dis. Aquat. Org. 103(1):65-75.  https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02559
Pagenkopp Lohan, K.M., Reece, K.S., Miller, R.L., Wheeler, K.N., Small, H.J. and J.D. Shields (2012) The role of alternate hosts in the ecology and life history of Hematodinium sp., a parasitic dinoflagellate of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). J. Parasitol. 98:73-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-2854.1
Pagenkopp Lohan, K.M., McDowell, J.R., Shields, J.D., Xiao, J., Miller, T.L. and K.S. Reece (2012) Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for the parasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium perezi, a parasite of Callinectes sapidus. Mol. Ecol. Res. 12:570-572. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2012.03133.x
Liu, S., Rexroad, C.E., Couch, C.R., Cordes, J.F., Reece, K.S. and C.V. Sullivan (2012) A microsatellite linkage map of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) reveals conserved synteny with the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Mar. Biotechnol. 14:237-244. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10126-011-9407-2
Small, H.J., Shields, J.D., Reece K.S., Bateman, K. and G.D. Stentiford (2012) Morphological and molecular characterization of Hematodinium perezi (Dinophyceae: Syndiniales), a dinoflagellate parasite of the harbour crab, Liocarcinus depurator. J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 59:54-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2011.00592.x
Xiao, J., Cordes, J.F., Moss, J.A. and K.S. Reece (2011) Genetic diversity in US hatchery stocks of Crassostrea ariakensis (Fujita, 1913) and comparison with natural populations in Asia. J. Shellfish. Res. 30:751-760. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/035.030.0315
Audemard, C., Kator, H.I., Rhodes, M.W., Gallivan, T., Erskine, A.J., Leggett, T.A. and K.S. Reece (2011) High salinity relay as a post-harvest processing strategy to reduce Vibrio vulnificus levels in Chesapeake Bay oysters (Crassostrea virginica). J. Food Protection  74(11):1902-1907. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x.JFP-11-152
Gauthier, D.T., Reece, K.S., Xiao, J., Rhodes, M.W., Kator, H.I., Latour, R.J., Bonzek, C.F., Hoenig, J.M. and W.K. Vogelbein (2010) Quantitative PCR assay for Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii and Mycobacterium shottsii and application to environmental samples and fishes from Chesapeake Bay.  Appl. Environ. Micro. 76:6171-6179.  https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01091-10
Li, C., Shields, J.D. Miller, T.L., Small, H.J., Pagenkopp, K.M. and K.S. Reece (2010) Detection and quantification of the free-living stage of the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium sp. in laboratory and environmental samples.  Harmful Algae 9:515-521. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2010.04.001
Stentiford, G.D., Bateman, K.S., Small, H.J., Moss, J., Shields, J.D., Reece, K.S. and I. Tuck (2010) Myospora metanephrops (n. gn., n. sp.) from marine lobsters and a proposal for erection of a new Order and Family (Crustaceacida; Myosporidae) in the Class Marinosporidia (Phylum Microspora). Int. J. Parasitol. 40:1433-1446.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.04.017
Krugner-Higby, L., Haak, D., Johnson, P.T.J., Shields, J.D., Jones III, W.M., Reece, K.S., Meinke, T., Gendron, A. and J.A. Rusak (2010) Ulcerative disease outbreak in crayfish Oronectes propinquus linked Saprolegnia australis in Big Muskellunge Lake, Wisconsin. Dis. Aquat. Org. 91:57-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao02237
Costa de Melo, A.G., Varela, E.S., Beasley, C.R., Schneider, H., Sampaio, I., Gaffney, P.M., Reece, K.S., and C.H. Tagliaro (2010) Molecular identification, phylogeny and geographic distribution of Brazilian mangrove oysters (Crassostrea). Gen. Mol. Biol. 33:564-572. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-47572010000300030
Xiao, J. Cordes, J.F., Wang, H., Guo, X., and K.S. Reece (2010) Population genetics of Crassostrea ariakensis in Asia inferred from microsatellite markers.  Mar. Biol. 157:1767-1781. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S00227-010-1449-x
Small, H.J., Shields, J.D., Haas, L.W., Vogelbein, W.K., Moss, J.A. and K.S Reece (2009) Genetic variation among strains of Pseudopfiesteria shumwayae and Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophyceae). J. Phycol. 45(6):1315-1322. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2009.00754.x
Reece, K.S., Burreson, E.M. and C.F. Dungan (2008) Molecular epidemiology of Perkinsus marinus and P. chesapeaki infections in wild oysters and clams of the Chesapeake Bay region. Dis. Aquat. Org. 82:237-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao01997
Cordes, J.F., Xiao J. and K.S. Reece (2008) Discrimination of nine Crassostrea oyster species based upon restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers. J. Shellfish Res. 27:1155-1161. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000-27.5.1155
Carlsson, J., Carnegie, R.B., Cordes, J.F., Hare, M.P., Leggett, A.T. and K.S. Reece (2008) Evaluating recruitment contribution of a selectively bred aquaculture line of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica used in restoration efforts. J. Shellfish Res. 27:1117-1124. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000-27.5.1117
Johnston, L.D., Brown, G., Gauthier, D., Reece, K., Kator, H. and P. Van Veld (2008) Apolipoprotein A-I from striped bass (Morone saxatilis) demonstrates antibacterial activity in vitro. Compar. Biochem. Physiol. 151:167-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2008.06.011
Gast, R.J., Moran, D.M., Audemard, C., Lyon, M.M., Uhlinger, K., Reece, K.S., Leavitt, D. and R. Smolowitz (2008) Environmental distribution and persistence of Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX). Dis. Aquat. Org. 81:219-229. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao01948
Gauthier, D.T., Vogelbein, W.K., Rhodes, M.W. and K.S. Reece (2008) Nested polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of Mycobacterium shottsii and M. pseudoshottsii in striped bass. J. Aquat. Animal Health. 20:192-201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1577/H07-037.1
Casas, S.M., Reece, K.S., Li, Y., Moss, J.A., Villalba, A. and J.F. La Peyre (2008) Continuous culture of Perkinsus mediterraneus, a parasite of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis and characterization of its morphology, propagation, and extracellular proteins in vitro. J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 55:34-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2008.00301.x
Xiao, J., Cordes, J.F., Jones, K.C., Allen, S.K., Jr. and K.S. Reece (2008) Eleven novel microsatellite markers for the Asian oyster Crassostrea ariakensis. Mol. Ecol. Res. 8:843-845. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2007.02085.x
Moss, J.A., Xiao, J., Dungan, C.F. and K.S. Reece (2008) Description of Perkinsus beihaiensis n. sp., a new Perkinsus sp. parasite in oysters of Southern China. J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 55:117-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2008.00314.x
Reece, K.S., Cordes, J.F., Stubbs, J.B., Francis, E., and K. Hudson (2008) Molecular phylogenies help resolve taxonomic confusion with Asian Crassostrea oyster species. Mar. Biol. 153:709-721. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0846-2
Grauvogel, C., Reece, K.S., Brinkmann, H. and J. Peterson (2007) Plastid isoprenoid metabolism in the oyster parasite Perkinsus marinus connects dinoflagellates and malaria pathogens - new impetus for studying alveolates. J. Mol. Evol. 65:725-729. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00239-007-9053-5
Moss, J.A., Burreson, E.M., Cordes, J.F., Dungan, C.F., Brown, G.D., Wang, A., Wu, X. and K.S. Reece (2007) Pathogens in Crassostrea ariakensis and other Asian oyster species: implications for non-native oyster introduction to Chesapeake Bay. Dis. Aquat. Org. 77: 207-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao01829
Mason, P.L., Litaker, R.W., Jeong, H.J., Ha, J.H., Reece, K.S., Stokes, N.A., and J.Y. Park (2007) Description of a new genus of Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates, Luciella gen. nov. (Dinophyceae), including two new species: Luciella masanensis sp. nov. and Luciella atlantis sp. nov. J. Phycol. 43:799-810. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2007.00370.x
Dungan, C.F., Hamilton, R.M., Burreson, E.M., Reece, K.S. and N.A. Stokes (2007) Experimental cross-infections by Perkinsus marinus and P. chesapeaki in three sympatric species of Chesapeake Bay oysters and clams. Dis. Aquat. Org. 76(1):67-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao076067
Nunan L.M., Lightner D.V., Pantoja C.R., Stokes N.A. and K.S. Reece (2007) Characterization of a rediscovered haplosporidian parasite from cultured Penaeus vannamei. Dis. Aquat. Org. 74:67-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao074067
Dungan, C.F., Reece, K.S., Moss, J.A., Hamilton, R.M. and B.K. Diggles (2007) Perkinsus olseni in vitro isolates from the New Zealand clam Austrovenus stutchburyi. J. Eukary. Microbiol. 54(3):263-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2007.00265.x
Small, H.J., Shields, J.D., Moss, J.A. and K.S. Reece (2007) Conservation in the first internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1) in Hematodinium species infecting crustacean hosts found in the UK and Newfoundland. Dis. Aquat. Org. 75:251-258. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao075251
Small, H.J., Shields, J.D., Hudson, K.L. and K.S. Reece (2007) Molecular detection of Hematodinium sp. infecting the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. J. Shellfish Res. 26:131-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2007)26[131:MDOHSI]2.0.CO;2
Carlsson, J. and K.S. Reece (2007) Eight PCR primers to amplify EST-linked microsatellites in the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica genome. Mol. Ecol. Notes. 7:257-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01573.x
Litaker, R.W., Vandersea, M.W., Reece, K.S., Stokes, N.A., Yonish, B.A., Kibler, S.R., Black, M.N.D., Steidinger, K.A., Lutzoni, F.M. and P.A. Tester (2007) Recognizing dinoflagellate species using ITS rDNA sequences. J. Phycol. 43(2):344-355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2007.00320.x
Boettcher, K.J., Smolowitz, R., Lewis, E.J., Allam, B., Dickerson, H., Ford, S., Huq, A., Reece, K.S., Rivara, G., Maloy, A.P. and C.M. Woodley (2006) Juvenile oyster disease (JOD) in Crassostrea virginica: synthesis of knowledge and recommendations. J. Shellfish Res. 25:683-686. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2006)25[651:AOTP]2.0.CO;2
Li, C., Shields, J.D., Small, H.J., Reece, K.S., Hartwig, C.L., Cooper, R.A. and R.E. Ratzlaff (2006) Detection of Panulirus argus virus 1 (Pav1) in the Caribbean spiny lobster using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Dis. Aquat. Org. 72:185-192. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao072185
Carlsson, J., Morrison, C. and K.S. Reece (2006) Wild and aquaculture populations of the Eastern oyster compared using microsatellites. J. Hered. 97:595-598. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esl034
Dungan, C.F. and K.S. Reece (2006) In vitro propagation of two Perkinsus spp. parasites from Japanese Manila clams Venerupis philippinarum, and description of Perkinsus honshuensis n. sp. J. Eukary. Microbiol. 53(5):316-326. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2006.00120.x
Burreson, E.M. and K.S. Reece (2006) Spore ornamentation of Haplosporidium nelsoni and Haplosporidium costale (Haplosporidia) and incongruence of molecular phylogeny and spore ornamentation in the Haplosporidia. J. Parasitol. 92(6):1295-1301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-897R.1
Camara, M.D., Allen, S.K., Jr., Carnegie, R.B. and K.S. Reece (2006) Out-crossing among commercial strains of the Northern Quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria: Survival, growth, and implications for selective breeding. J. Shellfish Res. 25(2):403-416. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2006)25[403:OACSOT]2.0.CO;2
Audemard, C., Ragone Calvo, L.M., Paynter, K.T., Reece, K.S. and E.M. Burreson (2006) Real-time PCR investigation of parasite ecology: In situ determination of oyster parasite Perkinsus marinus transmission dynamics in lower Chesapeake Bay. Parasitol. 132:827-842. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0031182006009851
Hare, M., Allen, S.K., Jr., Bloomer, P., Camara, M.D., Carnegie, R.B., Murfree, J., Luckenbach, M., Meritt, D., Morrison, C., Paynter, K.T., Reece, K.S. and C. Rose (2006) A genetic test for recruitment enhancement in Chesapeake Bay oysters, Crassostrea virginica, after population supplementation with a disease tolerant strain. Cons. Genetics 7:717-734. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9108-3
Moss, J.A., Burreson, E.M. and K.S. Reece (2006) Advanced Perkinsus marinus infections in Crassostrea ariakensis maintained under laboratory conditions. J. Shellfish. Res. 25(1):65-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2006)25[65:APMIIC]2.0.CO;2
Litaker, R.W., Steidinger, K.A., Mason, P.L., Lansberg, J.H., Shields, J.D., Reece, K.S., Haas, L.W., Vogelbein, W.K., Vandersea, M.W., Kibler, S.R., and P.A. Tester (2005) The reclassification of Pfiesteria shumwayae (Dinophyceae): Pseudopfiesteria, gen. nov. J. Phycol. 41(3):643-651. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2005.00075.x
Zhang, Q., Allen, S.K., Jr. and K.S. Reece (2005) Genetic variation in wild and hatchery stocks of Suminoe oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis) assessed by PCR-RFLP and microsatellite markers. Mar. Biotechnol. 7(6):588-599. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10126-004-5105-7
Brown, G.D., Kaattari, S.L. and K.S. Reece (2005) Effect of homogenate from different oyster species on Perkinsus marinus proliferation and subtilisin gene transcription. J. Shellfish Res. 24(4):1027-1033.  https://doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2005)24[1027:EOHFDO]2.0.CO;2
Burreson, E.M., Dungan, C.F. and K.S. Reece (2005) Molecular, morphological, and experimental evidence support the synonymy of Perkinsus chesapeaki and Perkinsus andrewsi. J. Eukary. Micro. 52(3):258-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2005.05-00035.x
Hedgecock, D., Gaffney, P.M., Goulletquer, P., Guo, X., Reece, K. and G.W. Warr (2005) The case for sequencing the Pacific oyster genome. J. Shellfish Res. 24:429-441.  https://doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2005)24[429:TCFSTP]2.0.CO;2
Rhodes, M.W., Kator, H., McNabb, A., Deshayes, C., Reyrat, J.-M., Brown-Elliott, B.A., Wallace, R., Jr., Trott, K.A., Parker, J.M., Lifland, B., Osterhout, G., Kaattari, I., Reece, K.S., Vogelbein, W. and C.A. Ottinger (2005) Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii sp. nov., a slowly growing chromogenic species isolated from Chesapeake Bay striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Int. J. System. Evol. Microbiol. 55:1139-1147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.63343-0
Friedman, C.S., Estes, R.M., Stokes, N.A., Burge, C.A., Hargove, J.S., Barber, B.J., Elston, R.A., Burreson, E.M. and K.S. Reece (2005) Herpes virus in juvenile Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas from Tomales Bay, California, coincides with summer mortality episodes. Dis. Aquat. Org. 63:33-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao063033
Villalba, A., Reece, K.S., Ordás, M.C., Casas, S.M. and A. Figueras (2004) Perkinsosis in molluscs – a review. Aquatic Living Resources. 17(4):411-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/alr:2004050
Reece, K.S., Siddall, M.E., Stokes, N.A. and E.M. Burreson (2004) Molecular phylogeny of the Haplosporidia based on two independent gene sequences. J. Parasitol. 90(5):1111-1122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-102R
Audemard, C., Reece, K.S. and E.M. Burreson (2004) Real-time PCR for the detection and quantification of the protistan parasite Perkinsus marinus in environmental waters. Appl. Environ. Micro. 70:6611-6618. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.70.11.6611-6618.2004
Reece, K.S., Ribeiro, W.L., Gaffney, P.M., Carnegie, R.B. and S.K. Allen, Jr. (2004) Microsatellite marker development and analysis in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica: Confirmation of null alleles and non-Mendelian segregation ratios. J. Heredity. 95:346-352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esh058
Brown, G., Hudson, K.L. and K.S. Reece (2004) Multiple polymorphic sites at the ITS and ATAN loci in cultured isolates of Perkinsus marinus. J. Eukary Micro. 51:312-320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.2004.tb00572.x
Casas, S.M., Grau, A., Reece, K.S., Apakupakul, K., Azevedo, C. and A. Villalba (2004) Perkinsus mediterraneus n. sp. a protistan parasite of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis (L.) from the coast of Balearic Islands, Mediterranean Sea. Dis. Aquat. Org. 58:231-244. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao058231
Earnhart, C.G., Vogelbein, M.A., Brown, G.D., Reece, K.S. and S.L. Kaattari (2004) Supplementation of Perkinsus marinus cultures with host plasma or tissue homogenate enhances their infectivity. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 421-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.70.1.421-431.2004
Elston, R., Dungan, C., Meyers, T. and K.S. Reece (2004) Perkinsus sp. infection risk for Manila clams, Venerupis philippinarum (Admas and Reeve, 1850) on the Pacific coast of North and Central America. J. Shellfish. Res. 23:101-105.

Brown, G. and K.S. Reece (2003) Isolation and characterization of serine protease gene(s) from Perkinsus marinus. Dis. Aquat. Org. 57:117-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao057117
Reece, K.S., N. Stokes (2003) Molecular analysis of a haplosporidian parasite from cultured New England abalone Haliotis iris. Dis. Aquat. Org. 53:61-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao053061
Litaker, R.W., Vandersea, M.W., Kibler, S.R., Reece, K.S., Stokes, N.A., Steidinger, K.A., Millie, D.F., Bendis, B.J., Pigg, R.J., and P.A. Tester (2003) Identification of Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophycae) and Pfiesteria-like organisms using internal transcribes spacer-specific PCR assays. J. Phycol. 39:754-761. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.2003.02112.x
Vogelbein, W.K., Lovko, V.J., Shields, J.D., Reece, K.S., Mason, P.L., Haas, L.W. and C.C. Walker (2002) Pfiesteria shumwayae kills fish by micropredation not exotoxin secretion. Nature 418:967-970. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature01008
Berry, J.P., Reece, K.S., Rein, K.S., Baden, D.G., Haas, L.W., Ribeiro, W.L., Shields, J.D., Snyder, R.V., Vogelbein, W.K. and R.E. Gawley (2002) Are Pfiesteria species toxicogenic? Evidence against production of ichthyotoxins by Pfiesteria shumwayae. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 99(17):10970-10975. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.172221699
Dungan, C.F., Hamilton, R.M., Hudson, K.L., McCollough, C.B. and K.S. Reece (2002) Two epizootic infectious diseases in Chesapeake Bay commercial clams Mya arenaria and Tagelus plebeius. Dis. Aquat. Org. 50:67-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao050067
Reece, K.S., Bushek, D., Hudson, K.L. and J.E. Graves (2001) Geographic distribution of Perkinsus marinus genetic strains along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the USA. Mar. Biol. 139:1047-1055. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002270100657
Reece, K.S., Bushek, D. and J.E. Graves (1997) Molecular markers for population genetic analysis of Perkinsus marinus. Mol. Mar. Biol. Biotechnol. 6(3):197-206.

Reece, K.S., Siddall, M.E., Burreson, E.M. and J.E. Graves (1997) Phylogenetic analysis of Perkinsus based upon actin gene sequences. J. Parasitol. 83(3):417-423.

Siddall, M.E., Reece, K.S., Graves, J.E. and E.M. Burreson (1997) “Total evidence” refutes the inclusion of Perkinsus species in the phylum Apicomplexa. Parasitology 115:165-176.

Reece, K.S. and G.J. Phillips (1995) New plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance cassettes. Gene. 165:141-142.

Publications

  • Chen X, Jones DD, Limjoco CF, Groner ML, Reece K S and JD Shields (in revision) Filter feeding by oysters reduces disease transmission in a marine host-parasite system. Ecology.
  • Youtsey LS, Reece KS, Snyder RA and McDowell JR (2025) Transcriptomic profile of the northern hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) in response to short-term low salinity exposure. Front. Mar. Sci. 12:1574486. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2025.1574486
  • Ben-Horin T, Audemard C, Ciesielski M, Clerkin T, Krogman N, Lucas J, Noble RT, Moss Small J, Reece K and Wilbur A (2025) Broodstock genetics, more than ploidy alone, explains oyster resilience at farm sites impacted by sudden unusual mortality syndrome (SUMS). Aquaculture 607:742691. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742691
  • Armstrong CT, Sakowicz GP, Smith JL, Sanderson MP, Reece KS and Place AR (2025) Phycotoxins along two New Jersey estuaries—Limitations of passive samplers in a complex system. Estuaries and Coasts 48:106. doi: 10.1007/s12237-025-01536-x
  • McCarty AJ, McDowell JR, Reece KS, Snyder RA and Hudson K (2025) Application of genetic technology in support of the northern hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture industry. Front. Aquac. 4:1556440. doi: 10.3389/faquc.2025.1556440
  • Yu X, Tomlinson MC, Shen J, Li Y, Hounshell AG, Scott GP and Reece KS (2025) Using a coupled satellite image-numerical model framework to simulate Margalefidinum polykrikoides in the York River estuary. Front. Mar. Sci. 12:1561340. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2025.1561340
  • K Reece , R Carnegie, D Bushek (2025) Perkinsosis (aka dermo) of bivalve mollusks.
    R Smolowitz (Ed), Diseases of Bivalves, Academic Press, pp 71-93. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-820339-2.00020-6
  • K Reece, D Bushek, R Carnegie (2025) History and taxonomy of haplosporidians, and haplosporidiosis in bivalve mollusks. R Smolowitz (Ed), Diseases of Bivalves, Academic Press, pp 95-116. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-820339-2.00003-6
  • Grouzdev D, Farhat S, Guo X, Espinosa E, Reece K, McDowell J, Huiping Y, Rivara G, Reitsma J, Clemtson A, Tanguy A and A Bassem (2024) Development and validation of a 66K SNP array for the hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). BMC Genomics 25:847. doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10756-7
  • Gaillard S, Small HJ, Ayache N, Tanniou S, Hess P, Réveillon D, Harris CM, Harris TM, Scott GP, MacIntyre A and KS Reece (2024) Investigating the allelochemical interaction of Alexandrium monilatum with diatoms and other dinoflagellates. Harmful Algae 139:102706. doi: 10.1016/j.hal.2024.102706
  • Gaillard S, Small HJ, Carnegie RB, Harris TM, Tanniou S, Réveillon D, Hess P and KS Reece (2024) Sublethal exposure of easter oyster, Crassostrea virginica, to the goniodomin-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium monilatum: Fate of toxins, histopathology, and gene expression. J. Aquat. Anim. Health 36:374-394. doi: 10.1002/aah.10227
  • Kachmar ML, Reece KS, Agnew MV, Schreier HJ and CA Burge (2024) Susceptibility of shellfish aquaculture species in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland coastal bays to Ostreid herpesvirus-1 microvariants. Dis. Aquat. Org. 157:113-127. doi: 10.3354/dao03775
  • Harris CM, Hintze L, Gaillard S, Tanniou S, Small H, Reece KS, Tillmann U, Krock B and TM Harris (2023) Mass spectrometric characterization of the seco acid formed by cleavage of the macrolide ring of the algal metabolite goniodomin A. Toxicon 231:107159. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107159
  • Ropp AJ, Reece KS, Snyder RA, Song J, Biesack EE and JR McDowell (2023) Fine-scale population structure of the northern hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) revealed by genome-wide SNP markers. Evolut. Applicat. 16:1422-1437. doi: 10.1111/eva.13577
  • Pease SKD, Egerton TA, Reece KS, Sanderson MP, Onofrio MD, Yeargan E, Wood A, Roach A, Huang I-SW, Scott GP, Place AR, Hayes AM and JL Smith (2023) Co-occurrence of marine and freshwater phycotoxins in oysters, and analysis of possible predictors for management. Toxicon: X 19:100166. doi: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2023.100166
  • Audemard C, Reece KS, Latour RJ, Bienlien LM and RB Carnegie (2023) Influence of oyster genetic background on levels of human pathogenic Vibrio spp. Aquaculture 562:738763. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738763
  • Chen X, Reece KS and JD Shields (2023) Natural transmission of Hematodinium perezi in juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the laboratory. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 198:107918. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107918
  • Sanderson MP, Hudson KL, Gregg LS, Chesler-Poole AB, Small JM, Reece KS, Carnegie RB and JL.Smith (2023) Detection of toxins and harmful algal bloom cells in shellfish hatcheries and efforts toward removal. Aquaculture 562:738714. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738714
  • Qin Q, Shen J and KS Reece (2022) A deterministic model for understanding nonlinear viral dynamics in oysters. Appl. Environ. Micro. 88(8):1-23. doi: 10.1128/aem.02360-21
  • Audemard C, Ben-Horin T, Kator HI and KS Reece (2022) Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters under low tidal range conditions:Is seawater analysis useful for risk assessment? Foods 11(24):4065. doi: 10.3390/foods11244065
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Courses Taught

  • MS 698 Shellfish Health and the Environment
  • MS 673 Marine Molecular Genetics (lecture)
  • MS 673 Marine Molecular Genetics (laboratory)
  • MS 583 Bioinformatics: Molecular Genetic Data Analysis
  • MS 558 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms
  • MB 250 Marine Biology
  • Bio 404/ MSCI 404/ MSCI 530 Microbial Processes in a Changing Coastal Environment

Current Students

Research Associates

Research Staff

Faculty Awards

  • Class of 1964 Distinguished Associate Professor of Marine Science, 2004-2007
  • Plumeri Award for Faculty Excellence 2008-2010

Professional Memberships

  • American Society of Parasitology
  • Society of Protozoologists
  • National Shellfisheries Association

Collaborative / Interdisciplinary Efforts

  • Harmful algal bloom species research with Drs. Vogelbein and Harris
  • Hematodinium spp. studies with Drs. Shields and Al Place (UMBI)
  • Perkinsus spp. descriptions with Christopher Dungan (MD DNR)
  • Bivalve parasite research with Dr. Carnegie
  • Environmental microbiological studies with Dr. Audemard