Biol. Bull.
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The Biological Bulletin, Vol 179, Issue 2 201-206, Copyright © 1990 by Marine Biological Laboratory

GENERAL BIOLOGY

Rhizophydium littoreum on the Eggs of Cancer anthonyi: Parasite or Saprobe?

J. D. Shields
Department of Biological Sciences, and the Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 93106

The relationship between host and symbiont is often difficult to assess and quantify. A novel technique that may help assess the host-symbiont relationship of organisms found in crab egg masses is described. This technique may have application in determining the relationship of other host-symbiont associations. Crab eggs were killed cryogenically and exposed in combinations with live eggs to a previously unreported symbiont of crab egg masses. The results indicated that the chytrid Rhizophydium littoreum is primarily a saprobe that attacks dead eggs; yet at high zoospore densities, it attacks and kills live eggs. Furthermore, R. littoreum is the first chytridiomycete to be reported from a marine crustacean host. It was highly prevalent on the eggs of its host and was found throughout the year.




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Copyright © 1990 by the Marine Biological Laboratory.