BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 February 2015 Sexual Sterilization of the Daggerblade Grass Shrimp Palaemonetes pugio (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) by the Bopyrid Isopod Probopyrus pandalicola (Isopoda: Bopyridae)
Michele B. Sherman, Mary Carla Curran
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Probopyrus pandalicola is a bopyrid isopod that infects several palaemonid shrimp species, including the daggerblade grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio. The parasite can have several negative effects on its host, including loss of hemolymph, reduced reproductive potential, and decreased molting frequency and growth. To date, there are conflicting reports on whether Probopyrus pandalicola affects the reproductive capability of both male and female daggerblade grass shrimp. The purpose of this study was to determine whether infection by Probopyrus pandalicola resulted in the sexual sterilization of Palaemonetes pugio, and if the reproductive capability of male and/or female shrimp was restored after the bopyrid was removed. We found that parasitized and deparasitized males were able to fertilize the eggs of unparasitized females successfully, as 18.9 ± 7.1% and 42.7 ± 5.2% of the females paired with them became ovigerous in 4 wk, respectively. Neither parasitized nor deparasitized females became ovigerous when placed with unparasitized males during the 4-wk period. However, 45.4 ± 20.6% of deparasitized females did become ovigerous within 10 wk. Despite the fact that female shrimp are able to reproduce again when no longer parasitized, the majority of females remain infected with the bopyrid for their entire lives. Therefore, the sexual sterilization of female shrimp could potentially have a significant impact on estuarine food webs, as grass shrimp are conduits of detrital energy and a food source for many recreationally and commercially important species in estuaries on the East Coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico.

© American Society of Parasitologists 2015
Michele B. Sherman and Mary Carla Curran "Sexual Sterilization of the Daggerblade Grass Shrimp Palaemonetes pugio (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) by the Bopyrid Isopod Probopyrus pandalicola (Isopoda: Bopyridae)," Journal of Parasitology 101(1), 1-5, (1 February 2015). https://doi.org/10.1645/14-596.1
Received: 24 June 2014; Accepted: 1 October 2014; Published: 1 February 2015
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top