Red Crab (Geryon quinquedens) and Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) Resistance to Infection by the Lobster Pathogen Aerococcus viridans (var.) homari

1 May 1975

journal article
Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada

Vol. 32 (5) , 702-706
https://doi.org/10.1139/f75-090

Abstract

Red crabs (Geryon quinquedens) were acclimated to water temperatures up to 14 C without excessive mortality. The lobster pathogen Aerococcus viridans (var.) homari was nonpathogenic for the red crab at 5, 10, and 15 C and for the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) at 5 C, but could be recultured from each species after 60 and 100 days, respectively, with no loss of virulence for the lobster. The lack of virulence was not due to the inadequacy of the hemolymph as a growth medium. Although the serum of each species contained natural bactericidal and agglutinating principles, only the snow crab agglutinin was active against A. viridans (var.) homari. The resistance of these crab species is discussed in relation to their potential as reservoirs of infection.

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