The impact of Hematodinium perezi on American blue crabs
Shields, J.D.; Chen, X. (2026). The impact of Hematodinium perezi on American blue crabs, in: Byers, J.E. et al. The ecology and evolution of marine parasites and disease. Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series, : pp. 107-122. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197790847.003.0007
In: Byers, J.E.; Blakeslee, A.M.H.; Wares, J.P. (Ed.) (2026). The ecology and evolution of marine parasites and disease. Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series. Oxford University Press: New York. ISBN 9780197790809. 376 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197790847.001.0001, more
In: Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series. Oxford University Press: New York. , more
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| Keywords |
Periodicity > Seasonality
Transmission
Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 [WoRMS]; [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
disease, pathogen, outbreak, epidemic, oyster, parasitoid, disease ecology |
| Abstract |
Hematodinium perezi is an endoparasitic dinoflagellate that infects decapod crabs and amphipods. It is highly prevalent in the Atlantic blue crab along the eastern seaboard of the United States. The parasite has a predilection for juvenile blue crabs (<30 mm carapace width) and thrives in crabs from the high-salinity waters in coastal bays and estuaries. In the coastal bays of Virginia and Maryland, the parasite is holo-endemic, reaching prevalence levels of 100% in juvenile crabs. At temperatures ≥25ºC, the parasite rapidly proliferates and kills its crab host by releasing spores in a process known as “sporulation.” It is considered a parasitoid because it kills its host to release transmissive stages. Infected juvenile crabs experience cryptic mortality due to the parasite that likely has population-level effects. Several aspects of the parasite are reviewed, including its life cycle, transmission, host mortality, host affinities, seasonality, and epidemiological determinants that result in outbreaks. In addition, cannibalism, fishing mortality, and the potential effects of other community members are discussed in relation to the pathogen and its negative consequences to juvenile crab populations. |
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