Infestation of Lithodes santolla by Eremitione tuberculata: spatial and temporal variations in parasite prevalence and effect on host growth.
Dis Aquat Organ
; 158: 185-193, 2024 Jun 13.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38869094
ABSTRACT
The southern king crab (SKC) Lithodes santolla is a crustacean parasitised by the bopyrid Eremitione tuberculata. This study aimed to analyse spatial and temporal variations in E. tuberculata prevalence in the juvenile SKC population of San Jorge Gulf (SJG) and adjacent waters (Argentine Patagonia), and evaluate the effects of the parasite on SKC juveniles to improve our understanding of its impact as a disease on SKC health condition. Moult increment and body weight were compared between parasitised and unparasitised individuals. The prevalence of E. tuberculata in SKC juveniles varied both spatially and temporally. In the south of SJG, the prevalence was 54.5% (n = 11). Temporal prevalence analysis revealed values lower than 17.4% in mid SJG during May and September 2015. No significant differences were observed in E. tuberculata prevalence between sexes or among seasons. Eremitione tuberculata had a negative effect on SKC growth (lower body dry mass, moult increment and relative increment rate) in parasitised individuals. We hypothesised that the higher prevalence of E. tuberculata in the south SJG could be attributed to the retention of parasite larvae and the presence of the frontal system in this part of the gulf. The temporal variations could reflect host mortality. Our results suggest that bopyrid infestation may have a more important role than previously believed in the dynamics of the SKC population in mid-Patagonia.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Anomuros
/
Isópodes
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Argentina
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dis Aquat Organ
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Argentina
País de publicação:
Alemanha