Inter-Research > DAO > v135 > n1 > p71-75  
DAO
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

via Mailchimp

DAO 135:71-75 (2019)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03380

NOTE
Parasitic effects of the bopyrid Megacepon goetici (Crustacea: Isopoda) on the varunid crab Gaetice depressus

Jonel M. Corral1,*, Yumi Henmi1,2, Yuto Shiozaki1, Gyo Itani1

1Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
2Present address: Maizuru Fisheries Research Station, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, Nagahama, Maizuru, Kyoto 625-0086, Japan
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: The effects of infestation by the bopyrid isopod Megacepon goetici on the varunid crab Gaetice depressus were investigated. This crab is one of the most common crabs in Japanese intertidal shores where it plays a key role in structuring the benthic community. Samples were collected in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. From a total of 1694 crabs, 61 (3.6%) were parasitized by bopyrid isopods. No ovigerous females were parasitized, which may be evidence of parasitic castration of female host crabs, as has been described in other parasitized brachyuran crabs. Total weight was reduced in both males and females, and infested crabs also exhibited subtle lateral and dorsal carapace swelling due to the presence of parasites under the carapace. We therefore conclude that the morphology and the reproductive capacity of G. depressus were significantly affected by the bopyrid isopod.


KEY WORDS: Varunid crab · Isopoda · Marine · Morphology · Parasitism


Full text in pdf format
Cite this article as: Corral JM, Henmi Y, Shiozaki Y, Itani G (2019) Parasitic effects of the bopyrid Megacepon goetici (Crustacea: Isopoda) on the varunid crab Gaetice depressus. Dis Aquat Org 135:71-75. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03380

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article