Introduced and native populations of a marine parasitic castrator: variation in prevalence of the rhizocephalan loxothylacus panopaei in xanthid crabs

摘要

Patterns of prevalence and host specificity of the parasitic castrator, Loxothylacus panopaei, in a region of parasite introduction (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland-Virginia) were compared to those within its native geographic range (Indian Riven Lagoon, Florida). Prevalence in five species of xanthid crabs was measured at several spatial and temporal Scales along the east coast of North America. The parasite infected Panopeus lacustris, P. Simpsoni, P. Obessus, Eurypanopeus depressus, Dispanopeus sayi (reported as a host for The first time), and Rhithropanopeus harrisii, but did not infect P. Herbstii.