Wild captured crab, Chasmagnathus granulata (Dana, 1851), a new host for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)

Abstract

The most serious problem confronted by the shrimp industry is the occurrence of diseases which have been causing enormous impact on worldwide production. Among the pathogenic agents, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) can be considered one of the most virulent and devastating viruses, showing quick dissemination and causing high mortality, accompanied by great economic losses. WSSV can infect several species of cultivated shrimp as well as different species of crustaceans which can become alternative reservoirs for the pathogen. WSSV was first reported in Brazil in January, 2005 in Litopenaeus vannamei cultivated in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Here, we report for the first time the occurrence of WSSV in the wild crab, Chasmagnathus granulata (Dana, 1851). C. granulata is part of the local fauna in Santa Catarina and can be found abundantly both in the shrimp rearing ponds and around the farming areas. C. granulata specimens were collected in a local lagoon (Imarui Lagoon) and examined by two-step PCR (nested PCR). The result was confirmed by sequencing of the amplified 941 pb fragment. WSSV monitoring in endemic species and the study of its geographic distribution can contribute to the knowledge of the virus dissemination in the environment, to the comprehension of the host–viral interaction in distinct species and also to the establishment of sanitary strategies to minimize the impact caused by this viral disease.