Eriphia Verrucosa Research Articles

Some biological and morphological aspects of Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) in the eastern Adriatic Sea

Aim: To investigate and describe the length-weight relationship and sex ratio of the species Eriphia verrucosa in the eastern Adriatic and to determine whether there is external dimorphism by morphometric analysis of the body. Methods: All samples were collected in the coastal area in the intertidal zone of Kaštela Bay (Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia). The sample catching was done at night after 10 p.m. with a hand net and an LED headlamp; afterwards, each specimen was weighed, prepared for further processing and frozen. The processing of each specimen included sex determination and detailed morphometric measurements. In females, a total of eight morphometric measures were measured and additionally the length of the gonopods in males. For each morphometric measure except gonopod length (GL), the average value and the corresponding 95% confidence interval were determined. Results: A total of 73 individual specimens of E. verrucose were sampled, of which 35 were males and 38 were females. The gender ratio was 0.92:1 in favor of females (P = 0.726). The largest body weight measured during this research was a male with a mass of 263.6 g, and the smallest was also a male with a weight of 7.3 g. The largest number of individuals belonged to the length class of 45–50 mm. Sexual dimorphism between males and females was recorded for all morphometric measures. According to the b coefficient of length-weight yield, the growth of E. verrucosa can be characterized as negatively allometric. Conclusions: In this research, the biological characteristics of the species E. verrucosa in the eastern Adriatic were analyzed. The length-weight ratio (CL-W) for the total sample was W = 0.0076 × CL2.5086, for males W = 0.0078 × CL2.5116 and for females W = 0.0169 × CL2.2911. Based on the length-weight ratio, sex ratio and the morphometric analysis of the body, sexual dimorphism is documented, which was not previously found for the warty crab in that area.

Study of reproductive performance and some biological characteristics of Eriphia verrucosa (Forskal, 1775) in Coast of Jableh, Syria

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of Eriphia verrucosa in Syrian waters for the first time. This study was conducted during the period between March 2021 and February 2022 in the coast of Jableh city, Syria. The total number of individuals collected was 110 individuals scattered between 50 females and 60 males, with a percentage of 45.4% - 54.5%, respectively. The results showed that spawning occurred during the period between March and July and a highest rate was during May. Fertility of Eriphia verrucosa ranged between 19512-116430 eggs\female, the width of the Carapace ranged between 3.5-6.4 cm, while the length of the Carapace ranged between 2.5-4.7 cm and the body weight ranged between 25.4-121.3 g.

Keanekaragaman Kelas Crustacea Sub-Kelas Malacostraca pada Ekosistem Mangrove Pantai Padadita Kabupaten Sumba Timur

The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of the Crustacea Class Diversity Subclass (Malacostraca) in the mangrove ecosystem of Padadita Beach, East Sumba Regency. The research method used was the quadratic transect and analyzed using a quantitative descriptive approach with the diversity index formula Shannon-Wiener. This study used a sampling technique, namely purposive sampling with a plot size of 2 x 2 meters placed perpendicular to the depth of 200 meters using a plot of 27 plots. The environmental factors measured were temperature, salinity, degree of acidity (pH) and levelsoxygen (DO). Measurements were made at each observation station. The results showed that 5 species of Crustaceans (Malacostraca) that is Gelasimus vocans, Eriphia verrucosa, Ashtoret lunaris, Thalamita stimpsoni and Metopograpsus latifrons. The diversity index obtained is in the moderate category with a value of H’ =1,369.

Changes in the Biochemical and Fatty Acids Composition of Different Body Parts of Warty Crab (Eriphia Verrucosa, Forsskål, 1775) Caught from the Southeastern Black Sea and Their Relationship to Seasons and Sex

The study was carried out by taking samples from 10 different stations between the Giresun and Hopa coasts of the Southeastern Black Sea. In this study, the nutritional value of various edible body parts (carapace, right and left claw, and legs) of the warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa, Forsskål, 1775) was evaluated, sex seasonal proximal biochemical and fatty acid composition were compared. The highest content of protein (20.85%) was found in females (left claw) in winter and the highest content of fat (1.11%) in males (legs) in winter. Furthermore, the most dominant fatty acids in the fatty acid composition were Palmitic acid (11.2-13.9%) in SFA, Oleic acid (10.09-15.7%) in MUFA, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 17.5-21.9%) in PUFA. There were no significant differences in SFA and MUFA contents in the fatty acid composition of female and male crab flesh meat samples except for the spring and summer seasons. However, Differences were obtained between the sexes in the n-3 and EPA+DHA fatty acid values in the spring season (p<0.05). In addition, the amount of EPA+DHA in 100g of edible crab meat was varied in 137.7-219.3 mg.

A Contribution on the Diet of the Warty Crab, Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) by Informative Bayesian Stable Isotope Mixing Models

A Contribution on the Diet of the Warty Crab, Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) by Informative Bayesian Stable Isotope Mixing Models

Eriphia verrucosa

This datasheet on Eriphia verrucosa covers Identity, Hosts/Species Affected.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic, chromium and lead in warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa): occurrence and risk assessment

This study assesses the PAH and heavy metal levels in muscle of warty crabs (Eriphia verrucosa), from the northern coast of the Campania region improving the data on toxic contaminants in this crustacean. The results showed a minimal PAH contamination; the mean concentrations were as follows: 0.2, 1.6 and 1.7 μg kg-1 wet weight (ww) for BaP, PAH4 and PAH6, respectively. Regarding the levels of the two PAHs not included in the European regulations, the BkF mean concentration was 0.1 μg kg-1 ww, while DahA was detected only in 10.7% of samples. Pb and Cr were also detected at low levels with mean values of 0.068 and 0.468 mg kg-1 ww, respectively; instead, high As levels, with a mean value of 5.021 mg kg-1 ww, were found. Considering the EWIs and the ILCRs calculated in this study, the PAH, Pb and Cr contamination levels found in the edible part of the crabs resulted safe for human consumption. Contrariwise, the ILCR calculated for the As exceeded the acceptable level of cancer risk, although the calculation did not refer to the inorganic form which is the only one recognized as carcinogenic. Hence, this study shows that warty crabs can accumulate environmental contaminants in their muscle tissue representing an important route of exposure to these toxics for the local population that regularly consumes them. This finding highlights the importance of monitoring the presence of these pollutants in crabs and in general in all fish and seafood in order to ensure food safety for consumers.

Biochemical Composition of Warty Crab (Eriphia verrucosa) in the Post-reproductive Period in the Black Sea

Biochemical Composition of Warty Crab (Eriphia verrucosa) in the Post-reproductive Period in the Black Sea

Molecular Cloning, Structure and Phylogenetic Analysis of a Hemocyanin Subunit from the Black Sea Crustacean Eriphia verrucosa (Crustacea, Malacostraca)

Hemocyanins are copper-binding proteins that play a crucial role in the physiological processes in crustaceans. In this study, the cDNA encoding hemocyanin subunit 5 from the Black sea crab Eriphia verrucosa (EvHc5) was cloned using EST analysis, RT-PCR and rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE) approach. The full-length cDNA of EvHc5 was 2254 bp, consisting of a 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions and an open reading frame of 2022 bp, encoding a protein consisting of 674 amino acid residues. The protein has an N-terminal signal peptide of 14 amino acids as is expected for proteins synthesized in hepatopancreas tubule cells and secreted into the hemolymph. The 3D model showed the presence of three functional domains and six conserved histidine residues that participate in the formation of the copper active site in Domain 2. The EvHc5 is O-glycosylated and the glycan is exposed on the surface of the subunit similar to Panulirus interruptus. The phylogenetic analysis has shown its close grouping with γ-type of hemocyanins of other crustacean species belonging to order Decapoda, infraorder Brachyura.

Monthly Variations in Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Quality and Amino Acid Score of Warty Crab, Eriphia verrucosa (Forsskal, 1775) from the Southern Coast of Black Sea, Turkey

Monthly Variations in Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Quality and Amino Acid Score of Warty Crab, Eriphia verrucosa (Forsskal, 1775) from the Southern Coast of Black Sea, Turkey

Concentration and potential health risks of trace metals in warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa Forskal, 1775) from Southern Coasts of the Black Sea, Turkey.

The drastic increase of human population and industrial wastes mostly affects coastal areas. Crabs with limited mobility, especially in benthic regions of the coasts, are more affected by metal pollution. Monitoring of trace metals in terms of food safety and potential health risks is important for consumers. Warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa) samples were collected with trammel nets between July 2015 and June 2016. The crab extracts were analyzed by an ICP-MS optical emission spectrophotometer. Trace metal densities of crab meats in the present study were determined in the order of Zn > Cu > Fe > As > Al > Mn > Hg > Pb ≥ Cd. These levels were below the acceptable values reported by the Turkish Food Codex and the EU Commission. The target hazard quotient (THQ) was above 1 in terms of As, Cu, and Hg trace metals in both groups. This study showed that although the level of trace metal was below allowable values, consumption of warty crab more than once a month may cause metal toxicity according to potential health risk analyses.

Toxic metals in the warty crab in the southern Black Sea: Assessment of human health risk

The present study was performed to assess Cd, Pb, and Hg contaminations and human health risk in the warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) in Akliman shores of Sinop Peninsula of the Black Sea. Heavy metals analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Among studied toxic metals, Pb had the highest mean concentration in E. verrucosa. The highest mean concentration of Pb (0.2 mg per kg of wet weight) was observed in male samples of the warty crab. However, higher concentrations of Cd and Hg (0.11 and 0.019 mg per kg of wet weight, respectively) were observed in females of E. verrucosa. The mean Cd values found in the warty crabs were higher in May and June than those in July and August. On the other hand, Pb values were recorded in July and August. The mean Hg values were not different between months except July and August for male samples of E. verrucosa. Foraging seasons of these crabs are different, which can lead to differences in prey size and ultimately metals intake. However, the results show that a toxic heavy metal concentration in edible tissues of crab from the southern Black Sea was within the permissible limits given by national and international food codices. Target hazard quotient (THQ) for each metal and hazard index (HI) were calculated to evaluate non-carcinogenic human health risks. Estimated THQs of Cd, Pb, and Hg suggest that these metals in the warty crab do not pose any apparent threat to humans, when the HI value is below the value of 1. The result of the analysis has shown that the warty crab E. verrucosa can be used as bioindicator as it contains variable levels of the metals observed. Since consumption is the main source of heavy metal intake by humans, monitoring studies are needed to protect public health and take preventive measures.

Some Brachyuran Crab Records from Coastal Waters of the Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

Eight crab species (Eriphia verrucosa, Maja squinado, Calappa granulata, Charybdis (Goniohellenus) longicollis, Callinectes sapidus, Atergatis roseus, Portunus segnis, Maja crispata) were sampled from Mersin Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean) between September 2017 and April 2018. Three species belong to the family of Portunidae while two Maja species represent Majidae. The other crabs represent the families of Calappidae, Xanthidae, and Eriphidae. All specimens were preserved in ethanol and were deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University (catalogue number:MEUDC-17-12-002 - MEUDC-18-12-009). Previous records of these crabs in the Mediterranean Sea were determined as their distributions were compared. All crab samples in the study are distributed in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea commonly. 

Phylogeographic and evolutionary history analyses of the warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Decapoda, Brachyura, Eriphiidae) unveil genetic imprints of a late Pleistocene vicariant event across the Gibraltar Strait, erased by postglacial expansion and admixture among refugial lineages

BackgroundThe Pleistocene cyclic sea-level fluctuations are thought to have markedly affected the distribution and genetic architecture of Atlanto-Mediterranean biota. Despite the acknowledged key role played by these historical events in shaping population genetic structure of marine species, little is still known about the processes involved in shaping the spatial distribution of genetic variation within intertidal species. We intended in this study to reconstruct the phylogeography of a common and widely distributed coastal species across the East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea (the warty crab Eriphia verrucosa), aiming to unravel potential microevolutionary processes likely involved in shaping its genetic polymorphism. For this purpose, a total of 155 specimens of E. verrucosa from 35 locations across the entire distribution range were analyzed by comparing a 453 basepairs region of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1).ResultsOur results unveiled the prevalence of high genetic connectivity among East Atlantic and Mediterranean populations, with noticeable genetic distinctiveness of the peripheral population from the Azores. Spatio-temporal patterns of genetic diversification and demographic history allowed retrieving genetic imprints of late Pleistocene vicariant event across the Gibraltar Strait followed by subsequent postglacial expansion events for both the East Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. Integrative evidences from the outcomes of comparison of regional genetic diversification, as well as evolutionary and biogeographic histories reconstructions, support the existence of potential glacial refugia for E. verrucosa in the East Atlantic and western Mediterranean. Our results also revealed low levels of genetic variability along with recent demographic and spatial expansion events for eastern Mediterranean warty crabs, suggesting that the eastern areas within the distribution range of the species might have been recently colonized from putative glacial refugia.ConclusionsThese findings provide new insights into the phylogeography and evolutionary history of a common but poorly studied Atlanto-Mediterranean decapod species. Specifically, they contribute to the understanding of the impact of historical processes on shaping contemporary population genetic structure and diversity in intertidal marine species.

Antibacterial activity of crab haemocyanin against clinical pathogens

The increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria is a challenge that drives the development of new antibacterial substances. Marine inhabitants are excellent sources of antimicrobial proteins and considered as promising candidates for the treatment of microbial infections. In the present study, we obtained haemocyanin from Eriphia verrucosa and studied its potential to suppress the growth of some pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. The putative antibacterial molecules were isolated from the haemolymph by chromatography appropriate for producing the native haemocyanin (EvH) and its five structural units (SUs). The results showed that EvH had no antimicrobial activity unlike its glycosylated SUs. All haemocyanin SUs exhibited differential antibacterial activity depending on their grade of glycosylation. The strongest antimicrobial activity of SU1 (with highest carbohydrate content) was against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The least glycosylated SU3 and SU4 exhibited the lowest antimicrobial activity against all strains. The fraction SU1 has the potential to be applied as a substitute for some commonly used antibiotics. It was demonstrated that the grade of haemocyanin glycosylation plays an important role in its functional antibacterial properties.

A Review of the Marine Crab Fisheries in the Turkish Seas

Abstract The paper presents a review of the distribution of marine crabs (Brachyura) along the Turkish coast and the amount of economically important marine crabs harvested between 1967 and 2016. Previous records reported that Turkey had 102 brachyuran crab species, only five of them being economically important, but this review identifies two more species, Inachus phalangium and Ashtoret lunaris. The Aegean Sea has more crab species than the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. The most harvested species are Callinectes sapidus, Maja squinado, Eriphia verrucosa, Carcinus aestuarii and Portunus segnis, respectively. This review shows that there have been fluctuations in the harvest of marine crabs between years, the lowest being 5 tonnes in 2015 and the highest, 2116 tonnes in 1984. The information provided in this review provides a basis for potential profitable development of conservation and management strategies of marine crabs in Turkey.

The Effects of Sex and Seasonality on the Metal Levels of Warty Crab (Eriphia verrucosa) in the Black Sea

ABSTRACTThe present paper examines the impacts of gender and season variables on the nutritional composition and metal levels of warty crab caught in the central Black Sea region (Ordu). Crab samples were caught over four seasons, using gillnets, trammel net, and SCUBA diving. Results of chemical analysis showed that protein, lipid, moisture, and total mineral substance level ranges of male crabs were 20.45–22.64%, 0.95–1.27%, 75.44–77.09%, and 1.63–2.08%, while these ranges in female individuals were determined as 19.45–21.46%, 0.63–0.92%, 75.44–77.44%, and 2.08–3.28%, respectively. Macro and trace element levels in crab muscle tissue were determined as K > P > Na > Ca > Mg and Zn > Fe > Cu > Mn > Se > Ni > Mo > Co, respectively. Cd and Pb levels in crab muscle tissue were determined to be lower than the limit values given in codices independent of the seasonal variables. However, as the levels were found to be above the limit values, metal concentrations in crabs were also evaluated based on provisional tolerable daily intake and provisional tolerable weekly intake limits.

In vitro anti-tumor effects of hemocyanin isolated from Atergatis roseus and Eriphia verrucosa crabs

Hemocyanin (HCY) is a multifunctional glycoprotein, which plays multiple roles in immune defense in invertebrates. HCY from some mollusks can induce potent immune response, while little is currently known about how hemocyanin from arthropods affects tumors. In the present study, in vitro cytotoxic effect of HCY from two crab species Atergatis roseus and Eriphia verrucosa was investigated on two cell lines included hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) and breast cancer (MCF-7). The results showed that HCY exhibited degrees of inhibitory activity against the two cell lines. HCY of A.roseus showed the highest cytotoxicity against HepG-2 cell line(IC50 :7.7 ± 3.1 mg/ml) while the HCY of E.verucossa showed inhibitory effect (IC50 : 9.5 ± 2.6 mg/ml) after 72 h. HCY of A.roseus and E.verucossa showed their maximum cytotoxity IC50 towards MCF-7 at 2.71± 1.3 mg/ml and 4.72± 1.5 mg/ml, respectively. In Conclusion, We concluded that HCY obtained from A. roseus has strong anti-tumor activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 than HCY obtained from E. verrucosa

Total mercury levels in crustacean species from Italian fishery

ABSTRACTThis study investigated mercury contamination levels in eight commercially valuable crustacean species caught off the Central Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy. Total mercury levels were measured by Thermal Decomposition-Amalgamation-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results showed a high variability among species with values ranging from 0.070 to 1.24 (mg kg−1 wet weight). The lowest mercury levels were detected in caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus), warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa) and European spider crab (Maja squinado), decapods living in shallow waters. Levels exceeding the limits established by the European Commission were found in species living in close contact with bottom sediments: deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). For shrimps, the inter-individual variability observed was mostly related to the body size, indicating the accumulation of mercury with age. An estimation of the human intake of mercury associated to the consumption of the crustaceans sampled and its comparison with the Tolerable Weekly Intake are provided.

Investigations on mineral content in warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskal, 1775) from the Rize Coast of Black Sea, Turkey

This study investigated the seasonal variations in mineral content of edible parts of male and female warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskal, 1775) distributed along Rize Coast of Black Sea and compared the same with the limit values of mineral content for human consumption set by various national and international standards. The contents of Al, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni and P estimated during the present study did not exceed the limit values as per the national and international standards. However, Pb (0.25-0.70 mg kg-1), Se (0.29-0.75 mg kg-1) and Zn (43.86-72.59 mg kg-1) contents were found to be above the limit values. In terms of daily consumption values, it was found that, Al (1.86-3.35 mg kg-1), B (2.17-3.65 mg kg-1), Fe (2.80-6.44 mg kg-1) and Mo (0.01-0.02 mg kg-1) contents were within the limits as per all standards; while Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na and P contents were above the limits prescribed by certain standards and Cu, Pb, Se and Zn contents were above the limits as per all the standards Most mineral contents of female crabs were higher than those of the males. Additionally, mineral content of the crabs was observed to increase during summer compared to other seasons.