Mortality and hematology of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, experimentally infected with the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi

Authors

Jeffrey D. Shields, Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceFollow
Christopher M. Squyars, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

2000

Journal

Fisheries Bulletin

Volume

98

First Page

139

Last Page

152

Abstract

On the eastern seaboard of the United States, populations of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, experi-ence recurring outbreaks of a parasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium perezi. Epizootics fulminate in summer and autumn causing mortalities in high-salinity embayments and estuaries. In laboratory studies, we experimentally investigated host mortality due to the disease, assessed differential hemato-logical changes in infected crabs, and examined proliferation of the parasite.

Recommended Citation

Shields, Jeffrey D. and Squyars, Christopher M., Mortality and hematology of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, experimentally infected with the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi (2000). Fisheries Bulletin, 98, 139-152.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/1877