Hepatopancreas alteration of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus by the rhizocephalan barnacle Loxothylacus texanus.
A histological study of the hepatopancreas of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus parasitized by the rhizocephalan barnacle Loxothylacus texanus was conducted to explore if the degree of development of the parasite's rootlet system was correlated to its maturation process as seen by external characters of its reproductive body or externa. Four types of crabs were examined: control, with virgin and mature externa, and scarred. A clear progression with an increase in number and size of the parasite's rootlets in the hosts' hepatopancreas can be seen. Although the hepatopancreatic tubules remain functional, the hepatopancreas appears as a loose structure, completely infiltrated with L. texanus rootlets, in advanced stages of the parasitism.
Bortolini
José Luis
JL
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510, DF, Mexico.
Alvarez
Fernando
F
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D043143:Hepatopancreas / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D012621:Seasons; D001468:Thoracica / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure