Ecological observations on the commercial sand crab, Portunus pelagicus (L.), and its parasite, Sacculina granifera Boschma, 1973 (Cirripedia: Rhizocephala)

Abstract

Abstract. Sacculina granifera was found in 12% of commercial sandcrabs, Portunus pelagicus, in Moreton Bay irrespective of sex. Although male and female crabs were randomly distributed about Moreton Bay, egg bearing females were most common at the seaward station. This and the distribution of epizoic barnacles on gills and carapace suggest the sexes school separately. The increased prevalence of barnacles on the carapace of infected crabs indicates Sacculina inhibits moulting. The distribution of interna infections in small crabs towards south and west and externa infections in large crabs in the easterly, seaward stations suggests Sacculina preferentially attacks young crabs as they move inshore and then induces crabs to behave like ‘berried’ (i.e. egg bearing) females by moving seaward as they grow. Morphologically female crabs are little changed by Sacculina, but the males show considerable modification which is reflected most accurately in the shortening of the chelar propodus to proportions similar to normal females. Infected crabs are sterile and internally the hepatopancreas becomes green rather than tan. Parasitized crabs were seen to groom their externae as ‘berried’ females groom their egg masses.