NCCOS Project Explorer (NPE)

Determination of the Potential Threat of Hematodinium spp. Parasite to Blue Crabs from Coastal Bays (2003)

Project Description:
This research focuses on the dynamics of disease in crustaceans, how disease effects crustacean populations in the Chesapeake Bay and coastal embayments and the role that ecosystem stressors have on crustacean disease outbreaks. Results from this research will lead to development of ecological models and forecasts of disease which can identify potential management strategies for ecosystem restoration. The blue crab Callinectes sapidus is one of the most valuable commercial species in Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast. This project will compare health of blue crabs from an impacted area of Chesapeake Bay to a NERRS site. Hematodinium sp. is a parasitic dinoflagellate that causes mortalities in blue crabs from high salinity embayments and is a significant health threat to these populations. Vibrio sp. are bacteria with a human health concern; these bacteria can be found in blue crab hemolymph and tissues. This project will assay prevalence if Vibrio spp, hematodinium and other parasites in blue crabs and other crustaceans in Chesapeake Bay and coastal bays. This project also conducts controlled experiments to determine rate of mortality in infected animals and effects of known pathogens on animal health. Another aspect of this project is collaboration with Center of Marine Biotechnology to assay health of crabs reared in their aquaculture facility to ensure crabs released are not introducing disease into wild populations. Data collected from this project are statistically analyzed and published in peer reviewed scientific journals and reported to the scientific community by poster and talk presentations at national and international meetings. The projected duration of this project is ongoing. Animals are collected with our NOAA research vessels 23’ Parker or the RV Laidly. Specific areas of interest include the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal bays of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, NERRS Monie Bay and impacted areas such as Baltimore harbor. Animals are assayed with histology, microbiology, electron microscopy and molecular techniques.

Expected Outcome:
Expected project achievements include baseline data on the prevalence of disease in crustaceans from Chesapeake Bay and coastal bays along the Atlantic coast and the degree of mortality caused by some of these diseases. This project will establish protocols for collection of data using new molecular techniques that may be used by researchers in other fields. Project results will be useful for coastal managers to estimate mortality in crustacean populations due to disease agents. Many coastal management plans do not include disease in their estimates of population productivity; this project will provide new information to obtain better estimates of population abundance and allow more accurate information for ecosystem modeling. This information is useful to society by providing better management tools for crustaceans that are ecologically and commercially important species.