Population dynamics and development of the rhizocephalan Sacculina carcini, parasitic on the shore crab Carcinus maenas

2018 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
KN Mouritsen ◽  
SNS Geyti ◽  
J Lützen ◽  
JT Høeg ◽  
H Glenner
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Shore Crab ◽  
Sacculina Carcini

scholarly journals Life History and Population Dynamics of Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas)

Fishes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan M. Young ◽  
James A. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Life History ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Shore Crab ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Important Species

Carcinus maenas (the “shore crab” or “European green crab”) is a very proficient invader (considered to be one of the world’s 100 worst invaders by the IUCN) due to its phenotypic plasticity, wide temperature and salinity tolerance, and an extensive omnivorous diet. Native to Atlantic Europe, it has established two well-studied nonindigenous populations in the northwestern Atlantic and northeastern Pacific and less-studied populations in Australia, Argentina and South Africa. Green crabs are eurythermal and euryhaline as adults, but they are limited to temperate coastlines due to more restrictive temperature requirements for breeding and larval development. They cannot tolerate wave-swept open shores so are found in wave-protected sheltered bays, estuaries and harbors. Carcinus maenas has been the subject of numerous papers, with over 1000 published in the past decade. This review provides an up-to-date account of the current published information on the life history and population dynamics of this very important species, including genetic differentiation, habitat preferences, physical parameter tolerances, reproduction and larval development, sizes of crabs, densities of populations, sex ratios, ecosystem dynamics and ecological impacts in the various established global populations of green crabs.

Observations on two infectious agents found within the rootlets of the parasitic barnacle, Sacculina carcini

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Russell ◽  
G. Walker ◽  
R. Woollen
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Shore Crab ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Sacculina Carcini ◽  
The Common ◽  
Respective Host

Two types of infectious agent within rootlet cells of the parasitic barnacle, Sacculina carcini have been recognized by transmission electron microscopy. The rootlets were dissected from the common shore crab, Carcinus maenas, collected from two locales—Plymouth and Pwllheli. Yeast cells were identified within cells of S. carcini rootlets from crabs collected at both locations and an iridovirus was also found, but only in rootlets from Plymouth crabs. These infectious agents were never found co-occurring in the rootlets from Plymouth crabs. Both agents, when present in rootlets, were also present in the respective host crab tissues. It is therefore concluded that S. carcini rootlets are susceptible to invasion from natural infectious agents of the host crab.

Seasonal and temporal variations in population dynamics of the Carcinus maenas (L.): the effect of an extreme drought event in a southern European estuary

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Bessa ◽  
Alexandra Baeta ◽  
Filipe Martinho ◽  
Sónia Marques ◽  
Miguel Ângelo Pardal
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Extreme Drought ◽  
Drought Event ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Variability ◽  
Climate Event ◽  
Sacculina Carcini

The temporal and spatial variability in population dynamics of the European crab Carcinus maenas (L.) was studied between June 2003 and September 2007 in the Mondego estuary. An extreme climate event (extreme drought) occurred in 2004 and 2005 with a low freshwater flow discharge into the estuary, leading to an increase in salinity. Juveniles' recruitment was continuous throughout each year with a high proportion of young recruits being recorded in the spring of 2005. The proportion of green crabs clearly increased from the mouth to the upstream areas and the proportion of crabs actually in moult followed the same pattern. Parasitization by the endoparasitic barnacle, Sacculina carcini was observed, principally at the mouth of the estuary. The C. maenas population showed a regular size–frequency distribution and structure for both sexes during the study. Secondary production (P) of C. maenas estimated for the 4-year study period was different between years though, P/B ratios were similar during the whole study period. During the drought period, catches of the crab recruits were higher, particularly in the spring, probably due to the increase in salinity, which emphasizes the importance of these extreme events in controlling the abundances of coastal populations.

Parasites of the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.): implications for reproductive potential and invasion success

Parasitology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. ZETLMEISL ◽  
J. HERMANN ◽  
T. PETNEY ◽  
H. GLENNER ◽  
C. GRIFFITHS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Shore Crab ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Marine Invasive Species ◽  
Sacculina Carcini ◽  
Host Parasite

SUMMARYThe European shore crab, Carcinus maenas, is one of the most successful marine invasive species. Its success has been in part attributed to the loss of parasites, rekindling an interest in host-parasite interactions and impacts on host fitness in this crab. In the present study, we investigated C. maenas populations from Europe, South Africa and Australia for parasites, and assessed their impact on the fitness of male crabs. For the shore crab, testes weight along with success in mating competition is traded off against other life-history traits. We therefore used this parameter as an indicator both for reproductive fitness and a possible resource trade-off in response to parasite infestation. In the native range, crabs infested with Sacculina carcini showed significantly lower testes weight than uninfected crabs. However, helminth parasites did not generally cause reduced testes weights. Crab populations from South Africa and Australia were either parasitized at very low prevalences, or were completely parasite free. However, no population level effect of this parasite release was reflected in testes weight. These findings do not support a severe fitness impact of helminth parasites on C. maenas, which questions the role of parasites on its population dynamics, both in the native area and for invasive success.

scholarly journals Life History and Population Dynamics of Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan M. Young ◽  
James A. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Life History ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Carcinus Maenas ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Shore Crab ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Important Species

Carcinus maenas (the “shore crab” or “European green crab”) is a very proficient invader (considered to be one of the world’s 100 worst invaders by the IUCN) due to its phenotypic plasticity, wide temperature and salinity tolerance, and an extensive omnivorous diet. Native to Atlantic Europe, it has established two well‐studied nonindigenous populations in the northwestern Atlantic and northeastern Pacific and less‐studied populations in Australia, Argentina and South Africa. Green crabs are eurythermal and euryhaline as adults, but they are limited to temperate coastlines due to more restrictive temperature requirements for breeding and larval development. They cannot tolerate wave‐swept open shores so are found in wave‐protected sheltered bays, estuaries and harbors. Carcinus maenas has been the subject of numerous papers, with over 1000 published in the past decade. This review provides an up‐to‐date account of the current published information on the life history and population dynamics of this very important species, including genetic differentiation, habitat preferences, physical parameter tolerances, reproduction and larval development, sizes of crabs, densities of populations, sex ratios, ecosystem dynamics and ecological impacts in the various established global populations of green crabs.

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