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Parasitic Crustacea as Vectors

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Parasitic Crustacea

Part of the book series: Zoological Monographs ((ZM,volume 3))

Abstract

In assessing the role of parasitic crustaceans as vectors, it is interesting to note that the relevant literature appears to be limited to a handful of species. Isopods of the genus Gnathia (family Gnathiidae) likely act as definitive hosts and vectors of fish blood parasites of the genus Haemogregarina. They may also transmit fish viruses (such as VEN) and may be intermediate hosts for nematode larvae. Furthermore, cymothoid isopods (family Cymothoidae) may transmit lymphocystis virus to fishes. Recent studies show barnacles (subclass Thecostraca) on the carapace and gill filaments of crabs could be potential reservoir hosts for shrimp viruses. Copepods of the genus Caligus and Lepeophtheirus (family Caligidae) are noted as potentially important mechanical vectors or alternative hosts of a number of viral diseases between fishes, and Lepeophtheirus can transfer pathogenic bacteria between fishes. Ergasilids (family Ergasilidae) parasitic on the gill filaments of fishes can support the replication of shrimp viruses and likely act as viral vectors and transmit lymphocystis. Branchiurans, specifically from the genus Argulus, are thought to serve as mechanical vectors of several viruses to fishes, especially carp, as well as acting as intermediate hosts for dracunculoid and skrjabillanid nematodes of fishes. All of these vector examples are further discussed within the chapter, and areas of possible future research are identified.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for permission to use images from Lawler et al. (1974) seen in Fig. 7.1. Further thanks to Maryke Ferreira and Liesl van As for the use of their photographs in Figs. 7.2 and 7.3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Kerry A. Hadfield & Nico J. Smit

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  1. Kerry A. Hadfield
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  2. Nico J. Smit
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Correspondence to Kerry A. Hadfield .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. North-West University, and Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management , Potchefstroom, Northwest, South Africa

    Nico J. Smit

  2. Biodiversity & Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane BC, Queensland 4101, Australia, and Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Niel L. Bruce

  3. Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Kerry A. Hadfield

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Hadfield, K.A., Smit, N.J. (2019). Parasitic Crustacea as Vectors. In: Smit, N., Bruce, N., Hadfield, K. (eds) Parasitic Crustacea. Zoological Monographs, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17385-2_7

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