A trematode infection with no effect on reproductive success of a sand-bubbler crab |
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Authors: | Tsunenori Koga |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Education, Wakayama University, 930 Sakaedani, Wakayama 640-8510, Japan |
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Abstract: | The infection effects of the parasitic digenean trematode on the body weight and reproductive success of the sand-bubbler
crab were examined. Gynaecotyla squatarolae (Trematoda: Microphallidae) infects the body cavity of Scopimera globosa (Decapoda: Scopimeridae) and uses the crab as its second intermediate host. The parasites infected all reproductive crabs
examined to varying degrees. Larger crabs of both sexes had more parasites than smaller ones, probably because body size reflects
age, and older crabs had a longer period of exposure to infection. Males had more parasites than females, probably because
of sexual difference in acting time on the surface. Ovigerous females stay in closed burrows and do not act on the surface
during incubation, and so have less chance of infection than males. The quantity of infecting parasites did not explain variations
in either body weight or reproductive success of individual crabs in a field experiment. The life history of this parasite,
relative body size of the crabs, and cost and the possible benefit of manipulation for the parasite may explain these results. |
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Keywords: | Gynaecotyla squatarolae Second intermediate host Scopimera globosa Reproductive success Body weight |
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