The parasitic rhizocephalan barnacle Sacculina carcini in crabs of the Forth Estuary, Scotland
Mathieson, S.; Berry, A.J.; Kennedy, S. (1998). The parasitic rhizocephalan barnacle Sacculina carcini in crabs of the Forth Estuary, Scotland. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 78(2): 665-667. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400041710
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more
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| Keywords |
Parasites
Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]; Sacculina carcini Thompson, 1836 [WoRMS]
ANE, British Isles, Scotland [Marine Regions]
Brackish water |
| Authors | | Top |
- Mathieson, S., more
- Berry, A.J.
- Kennedy, S.
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| Abstract |
In the Forth Estuary, Scotland, parasitic rhizocephalan barnacle Sacculina carcini externae or scars occurred on 64% of Carcinus maenas from the subtidal channel of the middle estuary. These became more frequent downstream, infecting 46·9% in the lower estuary basin. Male and female crabs were infected equally, and infection rates in low-tide samples did not differ from high-tide. The parasites occurred most frequently on crabs of 40–50 mm carapace width (CW) rather than the modal crab size class of 50–60 mm. Downstream, proportionately more smaller than larger crabs bore parasites whereas, further upstream, more larger than smaller crabs bore parasites. There is evidence for the annual appearance of new externae in July-October, especially in the lower estuary basin, followed by their growth and loss after about a year. |
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