Bopyrid isopods do not castrate the simultaneously hermaphroditic shrimp Lysmata amboinensis (Decapoda: Hippolytidae). | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TitleBopyrid isopods do not castrate the simultaneously hermaphroditic shrimp Lysmata amboinensis (Decapoda: Hippolytidae).
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsCalado, R, Vitorino, A, Dinis, MTeresa
Year of Publication2006
JournalDis Aquat Organ
Volume73
Issue1
Date Published2006 Nov 21
Pagination73-6
ISSN0177-5103
KeywordsAnimals, Decapoda (Crustacea), Disorders of Sex Development, Female, Isopoda, Larva, Male, Reproduction
Abstract

This study evaluates possible parasitic castration induced by a bopyrid isopod of the genus Parabopyrella, which parasitizes the branchial chamber of the simultaneously hermaphroditic shrimp Lysmata amboinensis. Parasitized shrimp (PS) carried embryos and produced significantly fewer larvae (mean +/- SD: 363 +/- 102; p = 0.002) than formerly parasitized shrimp (FPS) (1297 +/- 143) and unparasitized shrimp (US) paired with other US (1409 +/- 102), with PS (1362 +/- 234) or with FPS (1384 +/- 157). Starvation trials revealed no significant differences in the quality of larvae produced by PS, FPS and US paired with other US, PS and FPS. Host embryo production is only quantitatively, not qualitatively, affected, probably due to nutritional drain and/or endocrine disruption caused by the parasite. The host male sexual system remains fully functional and 'reproductive death' does not occur. The feminization of pleopods that prevents parasitized males of gonochoric species from successfully copulating seems to have no effect on L. seticaudata: pleopods are always feminized during their transition from male to simultaneous hermaphrodite phase, with adults being able to successfully fertilize broods. Parabopyrella sp. significantly affects the female sexual system of its host, but does not cause castration, as recorded for L. seticaudata parasitized by the bopyrid isopod Eophryxus lysmatae (an abdominal parasite).

DOI10.3354/dao073073
Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17240755?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalDis. Aquat. Org.
PubMed ID17240755
CCMAR Authors