Infections in the Atlantic Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in coastal Adriatic and Aegean sea, and Atlantic Iberian coast

Abstract

In the Mediterranean Sea, the abundance of the invasive portunid crab, Callinectes sapidus, has dramatically increased in recent years. This raises concerns about damage to ecosystems, but also offers opportunities for exploitation of a new fishery. Newly invasive species may escape from pathogens in their native range, may introduce new pathogens, or can become host to endemic pathogens. Understanding these factors is important for predicting or managing natural resources in the invaded range. This study investigated the prevalence of two pathogens common in C. sapidus in its home range of North America: the reovirus CsRV1 and the protozoan parasite Hematodinium perezi. In crabs collected from Aegean, Adriatic, and Atlantic waters, the CsRV1 virus was not detected. In contrast, the parasite H. perezi was found in crabs from all areas except the Aegean Sea. Sequence analysis of the H. perezi ITS1 gene indicated that the strains observed are most related to genotypes already described in Europe and the Mediterranean, and not to strains from the Americas or Asia. The arrival of new species and new potential pathogens is ongoing through transfer of ballast water to the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Although systems are in place to exchange or inactivate ballast water, it is advisable to continue and expand surveillance for pathogens in introduced species, to inform management of movement of these species between regions.