test The prevalence of two known pathogens of Atlantic Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in coastal Adriatic, Aegean Sea, and Atlantic Iberian coast|Mediterranean Marine Science

The prevalence of two known pathogens of Atlantic Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in coastal Adriatic, Aegean Sea, and Atlantic Iberian coast

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Published: Nov 11, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.39256
Keywords:
disease ecology Crustacean predator escape
ERIC SCHOTT
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Baltimore MD 21202, USA
MARINA BRAILO ŠĆEPANOVIĆ
University of Dubrovnik, Department of Applied Ecology, Dubrovnik, Croatia
JASNA MARŠIĆ-LUČIĆ
Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Laboratory for Aquaculture, Split, Croatia
OLIVIA PARES
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Baltimore MD 21202, USA
MINGLI ZHAO
Royal Veterinary College, University of London, United Kingdom
JERKO HRABAR
Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Laboratory for Aquaculture, Split, Croatia
LUKA GLAMUZINA
University of Dubrovnik, Department of Applied Ecology, Dubrovnik, Croatia
MARIJANA PEĆAREVIĆ
University of Dubrovnik, Department of Applied Ecology, Dubrovnik, Croatia
SANJA GRĐAN
University of Dubrovnik, Department of Applied Ecology, Dubrovnik, Croatia
JOÃO PEDRO DA SILVA ENCARNAÇÃO
Center of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
PEDRO MORAIS
Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
ANA PEŠIĆ
University of Montenegro, Institute of Marine Biology, Kotor, Montenegro
ILIJA ĆETKOVIĆ
University of Montenegro, Institute of Marine Biology, Kotor, Montenegro
BRANKO GLAMUZINA
University of Dubrovnik, Department of Applied Ecology, Dubrovnik, Croatia
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 endemicpathogens. Understanding these factors is important for predicting or managing natural resources in the invaded range. Using quantitative PCR methodology, 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.

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