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.