Effects of Season, Size and Parasitism by the Acanthocephalan, Profilicollis altmani, on the Carotenoid Concentration and Composition of the Pacific Mole Crab, Emerita analoga

<p>The Pacific Mole crab <em>Emerita analoga </em>is a filter-feeding crustacean inhabiting sandy beaches along the western coasts of North and South America. The tissues of <em>E. analoga</em> contain carotenoids, dietary pigments that are involved in crustacean cryptic coloration and egg development. Despite extensive study of its life history, little is known about how <em>E. analoga</em> is affected by parasitism, even though previous groups noted the presence of larval helminths in its body cavity. We examined parasite prevalence and intensity of the acanthocephalan <em>Profilicollis altmani</em> infecting<strong> </strong><em>E. analoga</em> from Pismo Beach, California. We investiged the effects of parasite infection and body size on egg production as well as the effects of parasite infection, body size, season and reproductive condition on tissue carotenoids. We also analyzed <em>P. altmani</em> cystacanths for carotenoids to determine if parasite acquisition of host carotenoids was possible. Infection by <em>P. altmani</em> did not affect the carotenoid concentration or content of any <em>E. analoga</em> tissues. Egg mass production was also unaffected by infection. Crab body size was the only significant predictor of carapace and egg carotenoid concentration, while reproductive season significantly affected ovarian carotenoid concentration. <em>P. altmani</em> cystacanths contained carotenoids similar to those found in <em>E. analoga</em> tissues, but we could not determine if acquisition was purposeful or from a specific tissue. <em>E. analoga</em> esophagus tissue was analyzed for the first time during this study and contained predominantly astaxanthin. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS in Biological Sciences

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Constancio, Lauren F

Contributors dc:contributor

• Larisa Vredevoe

• Carotenoids
• Emerita analoga
• Acanthocephalans
• Life Sciences

Identifier

10.15368/theses.2011.14

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.calpoly.edu:theses-1478