Abstract
Haliphthoros milfordensis has been isolated from American lobster Homarus americanus juveniles. It is also a fungal pathogen of shrimp (Penaeus monodon, P. japonicus, and P. setiferus) and crabs (Scylla serrata). In a semiclosed, recirculating seawater system, infection of H. milfordensis resulted in mortalities of up to 44% in postlarvae of H. homarus and H. gammarus, the European lobster. H. milfordensis usually enter through wounds or in lightly cuticularized regions of the axillae or apodemes of the limbs or the gill chamber. Infection results in blackened spots of tissues with animals dying before or during ecdysis. H. milfordensis appears to enter lobster tissues through minor wounds or through weak chitinolytic action by the fungus because the disease only occurs in juvenile lobsters with thin or light integumentary barriers, while larger lobsters with thicker/heavier cuticle are resistant. This chapter provides a discussion on the pathology of a lobster fungal disease for comparison with fungal pathogens in other crustacean species.
Published Version
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