Salinity and temperature affect the symbiont profile and host condition of Florida USA blue crabs Callinectes sapidus

Walters, Erin A.; Bojko, Jamie; Crowley, Claire E.; Gandy, Ryan L.; Martin, Chester; Shea, Colin P.; Bateman, Kelly S.; Stentiford, Grant D.; Behringer, Donald C.

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2023.107930

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The current study constitutes the first report of Hematodinium perezi , a pathogenic dinoflagellate parasite, in Greece, as well as the ciliate Epistylis sp., both of which infect crustaceans and have been correlated several times with mortalities in C. sapidus. C. sapidus harbors a varied community of parasitic, pathogenic, and commensal microorganisms [ 49 ]. Some of these microorganisms are well studied, while others have been proposed for symbiotic traits in the host.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Histopathology and Phylogeny of the Dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi and the Epibiotic Peritrich Ciliate Epistylis sp. Infecting the Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Eastern Mediterranean

Lattos,

Papadopoulos,

Giantsis

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Bioinvasions constitute both a direct and an indirect threat to ecosystems. Direct threats include pressures on local trophic chains, while indirect threats might take the form of an invasion of a microorganism alongside its host. The marine dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi, parasitizing blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), has a worldwide distribution alongside its host. In Greece, fluctuations in the blue crab population are attributed to overexploitation and the effects of climate change. The hypothesis of the present study was that blue crab population reductions cannot only be due to these factors, and that particular pathogens may also be responsible for the fluctuations. To investigate this hypothesis, both lethargic and healthy blue crab specimens were collected from three different fishing sites in order to assess the health status of this important species. Together with the lethargic responses, the hemolymph of the infested crabs presented a milky hue, indicating the first signs of parasitic infestation with H. perezi. The histopathological results and molecular identification demonstrated the effect of the presence of H. perezi in the internal organs and their important role in the mortality of blue crabs. Specifically, H. perezi, in three different tissues examined (heart, gills, hepatopancreas), affected the hemocytes of the species, resulting in alterations in tissue structure. Apart from this dinoflagellate parasite, the epibiotic peritrich ciliate Epistylis sp. was also identified, infecting the gills. This study represents the first detection of H. perezi in the eastern Mediterranean, demonstrating that this is the main causative agent of blue crab mortality on Greek coastlines.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The presence of Epistylis sp. is associated with environmental factors such as temperature and salinity fluctuations [ 49 ]. The proliferation of fouling microorganisms affects the physiology of the host, resulting in metabolic depression [ 50 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histopathology and Phylogeny of the Dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi and the Epibiotic Peritrich Ciliate Epistylis sp. Infecting the Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Eastern Mediterranean

Lattos,

Papadopoulos,

Giantsis

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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“…Furthermore, environmental and microclimatic preferences that do not completely overlap with the host may affect symbiont distribution (De Kesel 1996;Frade et al 2007; Walters et al 2023). The role of these environmental effects on symbiont distribution has been extensively studied in different symbiotic associations, such as those of herbivores with their host plant (Wiklund et al 1978 (Gippet et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microhabitat variation of ant nests mediates the local distribution and abundance of an ant associate

Parmentier,

Braem

2023

Preprint

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Symbionts form intricate associations with their hosts. They can only establish when potential hosts are present, but their distribution is in addition often influenced by microhabitat preferences, which may not overlap to those of their hosts. This leads to a local patchy distribution of the symbiont, where it is present with some hosts while being absent from others. We studied the drivers of local distribution and density of Cyphoderus albinus, an obligate ant-associated springtail, across a mosaic of ant nests. The ant hosts display intra- and interspecific variation in nest structures, including soil, dead wood, arboreal and thatch mound nests. The springtail was always present in the thatch nests of red wood ants (Formica rufa group) and the arboreal nests of Lasius fuliginosus. A high prevalence was recorded in the smaller thatch mounds of Formica sanguinea. There was a higher likelihood to find the springtail in dead wood nests of Formica fusca, Lasius and Myrmica species compared to the soil nests of these host taxa. The springtail densities in thatch nests of Formica (F. rufa group and F. sanguinea) were much higher than those in other nest types and reached the highest densities (1148 individuals per L nest material) recorded for a social insect symbiont. Our findings emphasize that host nests with wood structures and thatch material provide a more favourable habitat for this symbiotic springtail compared to soil nests. Overall, this study underscores the importance of microhabitat variation in the local distribution and density of a symbiotic species.

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Decapod fisheries and parasite species richness: an exploration of host traits and parasitic influence

Duermit-Moreau,

Bojko,

Siders

et al. 2024

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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Salinity and temperature affect the symbiont profile and host condition of Florida USA blue crabs Callinectes sapidus

Cited by 5 publications

References 58 publications

Histopathology and Phylogeny of the Dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi and the Epibiotic Peritrich Ciliate Epistylis sp. Infecting the Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Eastern Mediterranean

Histopathology and Phylogeny of the Dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi and the Epibiotic Peritrich Ciliate Epistylis sp. Infecting the Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Eastern Mediterranean

Microhabitat variation of ant nests mediates the local distribution and abundance of an ant associate

Decapod fisheries and parasite species richness: an exploration of host traits and parasitic influence

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