Probopyrus Buitendijki (Isopoda, Bopyridae), a Parasitic Isopod on Macrobrachium Rosenbergii in Timun River, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Abstract

A bopyrid isopod was found attached in the gill chamber of a wild giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) from the Timun River, Negeri Sembilan (Malaysia) (2 • 28 N 102 • 02 E), with a prevalence of 0.27% (2/743). The specimens measured 18.25 ± 0.35 mm in length and 15.25±0.35 mm in width. The body of the isopod was subcordate and slightly distorted. It has five oostegites, with black pigment. The first oostegites are large, the 2 nd and 3 rd are suboval and smaller, while the 4 th and 5 th are long and ending in sharp points. Both specimens were identified as adult female Probopyrus buitendijki (Horst, 1910). The isopod was found only in January of 2009 and 2010, which months recorded a relatively low rainfall. A histopathological study of the infected gill showed impairment of the gill filaments, necrosis, and hyperplasia. Such effects may reduce the respiration efficiency of the gills. RÉSUMÉUn isopode Bopyridae a été trouvé fixé dans la chambre branchiale de la crevette géante d'eau douce, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) de la rivière Timun, Negeri Sembilan (Malaisie) (2 • 28 N 102 • 02 E), avec une prévalence de 0.27% (2/743). L'isopode mesurait 18,25 ± 0,35 mm de long et 15,25 ± 0,35 mm de large. Le corps de l'isopode était subcordiforme et légèrement déformé. Il possède cinq oostégites, avec un pigment noir. Les premières oostégites sont de grande taille, les 2èmes et 3èmes sont de forme subovale et plus petites, tandis que les 4èmes et 5èmes sont longues et terminées en pointes aigües. Les spécimens ont été identifiés comme des femelles adultes de Probopyrus buitendijki (Horst, 1910). L'isopode a été trouvé seulement en janvier 2009 et 2010, mois présentant des précipitations relativement basses. Une étude histopathologique de la branchie infectée s'a révélé une détérioration des filaments branchiaux, une nécrose et une hyperplasie. De tels effets pourraient réduire l'efficacité de la respiration des branchies. 1 )

Infestation of two shrimp species of the genus Palaemon Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) by an isopod of the genus Probopyrus Giard & Bonnier, 1888 (Bopyridae) from the Brazilian southeast coast

“…They have complex life cycles that require a decapod as a definitive host, and a calanoid copepod as an intermediate host (Anderson, 1990;Lester, 2005;Oliveira and Masunari, 2006;Boyko and Williams, 2009;Sherman and Curran, 2015). An adult female bopyrid is typically found attached to the gills inside the branchial chamber, while the dwarf adult male is often found attached to the ventral side of the female bopyrid (Beck, 1980;Choong et al, 2011;Sherman and Curran, 2015). Parasites induce visible lateral swellings on the carapace of the host and this deformation on the branchiostegite region characterizes the host-parasite relationship (Choong et al, 2011).…”

“…An adult female bopyrid is typically found attached to the gills inside the branchial chamber, while the dwarf adult male is often found attached to the ventral side of the female bopyrid (Beck, 1980;Choong et al, 2011;Sherman and Curran, 2015). Parasites induce visible lateral swellings on the carapace of the host and this deformation on the branchiostegite region characterizes the host-parasite relationship (Choong et al, 2011).…”

“…Bopyrids feed on the host's haemolymph and disrupt the normal mechanical functioning of the gills, impairing the respiration and metabolism of shrimps (Choong et al, 2011;Dale and Anderson, 1982). Shrimps parasitized by bopyrids may become reproductively impaired as both male and female individuals may become sexually sterile or show reduced fecundity, and male individuals can become somewhat become feminized due to their reduced chelae length (Bass and Weis, 1999).…”