Records of Loxothylacus texanus (Cirripedia: Rhizocephala) parasitizing the blue crab Callinectes sapidus in Tamiahua Lagoon, Mexico

Abstract

The rhizocephalan barnacle Loxothylacus texanus parasitizes the blue crab Callinectes sapidus in the Gulf of Mexico. In Tamiahua Lagoon, Mexico, although 4 species of Callinectes co-occur, only C. sapidus is parasitized. Parasite prevalence, number of parasite externae per host, host size, and host sex ratio were recorded during 5 sampling trips from November 1984 to October 1985. Overall parasite prevalence in Tamiahua Lagoon (13.3%) can be considered high, compared to values reported for other areas along the northern Gulf of Mexico, and contrary to what previous studies had suggested.