title: A preliminary health survey of the hermit crab, Pagurus bernhardus, on the southwest coast of Ireland.
abstract: During October and November of 2011 and 2012, 229 hermit crabs, Pagurus bernhardus, were randomly collected from the intertidal shore at three locations along the southwest coast of Ireland. This is the first survey to assess the health status of this crustacean in Ireland. Carapace length and the sex of each crab were recorded. Crabs were screened for parasites by histology and the intensity and prevalence of infection was determined. Crabs of varying carapace length were screened. The only parasite observed in the crabs was Microphallus sp., the first record of this digenetic trematode in P. bernhardus in Europe.
authors: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: s.lynch@ucc.ie.
authors: Sharon A
authors: SA
authors: Lynch
authors: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Gráinne
authors: G
authors: Darmody
authors: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Laide
authors: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Walsh
authors: Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Sarah C
authors: SC
authors: Culloty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D033381:Anomura / Q000469:parasitology*; D007494:Ireland; D015995:Prevalence; D014200:Trematoda
keywords: Health survey; Microphallus sp.; Pagurus bernhardus; Trematode