<i>Loxothylacus ihlei</i> Boschma, (Rhizocephala) and its effects on the mud crab, <i>Scylla serrata</i> (Forskål), in northern Australia

Abstract

Abstract. Loxothylacus ihlei , a rhizocephalan parasite of the mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forskål), is reported for the first time in Australian waters. The parasite is described and found to be variable in a number of characters. Most infected S. serrata , collected from commercial catches in the Northern Territory, Australia, were significantly smaller than uninfected crabs, and their abdominal flaps were relatively larger than those of mature females. Annual prevalence of infection was low (2.1%), with the monthly variation ranging from negligible early in the year to around 7% in November.