Gill fouling and parasitism in the rock crab, Cancer irroratus say

Abstract

Abstract Rock crabs, Cancer irroratus, were examined grossly and microscopically to estimate the influence of molting activity, geographical source and seabottom sediments on gill color, carapace color and tissue pathology. Collections were made from deepwater stations (20–55 m) in the Hudson Shelf Valley near dredge- and sewage-sludge disposal sites in the New York Bight apex, and from nearshore waters near Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Extensive gill blackening was noted in up to 30 % of the crabs from the New York stations when all specimens were in the intermolt condition. Blackening was not noted in intermolt crabs collected in Maine. Carapace blackening was present in up to 79 % of the New York crabs but absent in those from Maine. Severe blackening was attributed to direct contact of Cancer irroratus with blackened, highly organic sediments in the Hudson Shelf Valley. Fouling microorganisms on gill epicuticle included bacteria, diatoms, stalked ciliates, amoebae, flagellates and copepods. Bacteria, diatoms, amoebae and flagellates were common on crab gills from both locations. Ciliates and copepods counted in histological sections were considerably fewer in crabs from the New York stations than in those from Maine. Melanized nodules (hemocyte clumps) were present in gill tissue in up to 58 % of the New York crabs and in up to 68 % of Maine crabs. Unidentified microsporidans were found in up to 55 % of the New York specimens and in less than 2 % of those from Maine. Histological data accumulated since 1975 are summarized to provide a list of endoparasites, polychaete worms and barnacles observed in Cancer irroratus from the northeastern United States. Gill blackening, but not parasitism or microbial fouling, proved to be the best indicator or monitoring the effects of ocean dumping on the health of a benthic crustacean species.