Parasitization of Callinectes rathbunae and Callinectes sapidus by the Rhizocephalan Barnacle Loxothylacus texanus in Alvarado Lagoon, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Collinecles rathbunae and CalIinectessapEdus in Alvarado Lagoon, Mexico, were sampled monthly for one year to determine the extent of parasitization by the rhizocephalan cirripede Loxofhylucus lemnus. Prevalence levels. host sex ratio, carapace width-weight variation, and distribution of the number of parasites among hosts were analyzed. Loxotlrylocr~s fexanus was present almost exclusively in C. rathbrinoe with a mean prevalcnct of 7.58%. while Iess than 1% of all C. sapidus were parasitized. CalIintctes rofhbunae constitutes a new host record for this parasite. A study of infection revealed significant variation in prevalence and host size throughout the study period. The sex ratio of parasitized crabs differed from that of the total sample with mares being parasitized more often, and the comparison of carapace width-weight relationships revealed Lower weights OF parasitized crabs.