The First Record of Bopyrid Isopod Urobopyrus processae (Richardson, 1904) in the Estuarine Alpheid Shrimp Alpheus estuariensis from the Vellar Estuary, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

In this study, we report the first occurrence of the bopyrid isopod Urobopyrus processae in the estuarine alpheid shrimp Alpheus estuariensis from the Vellar Estuary, southeast coast of India. Shrimps were collected between November 2024 and April 2025 fortnightly and examined for parasitic infestation. Infestation was identified by bulging of the carapace and the presence of isopods in the branchial chamber or abdomen. In all collected alpheid shrimps (n=412), the parasitic infested animals were 3.39%. Our results also showed a higher prevalence of infestation in female shrimps (71%) than males (29%). A positive correlation (R2 = 0.3138; p<0.001) was found between host weight and parasite weight, indicating synchronized growth. This record not only extends the known distribution range of U. processae to Indian waters but also adds a new host species to its profile in the Vellar estuarine ecosystem.

Keywords

• Snapping shrimp
• Alpheus
• Isopoda
• Parasite
• Infestation
• Urobopyrus

Project Number

F.No.22018-30/2019-CS (Tax)

Ethical Statement

Not applicable

Thanks

The survey was carried out by the support of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, New Delhi in the form of research project

Hindistan'ın Güneydoğu Kıyısındaki Vellar Nehri Halici'nden Toplanan Alpheus estuariensis Türünde Bopyrid İzopod Urobopyrus processae (Richardson, 1904)'un İlk Kaydı

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Hindistan'ın güneydoğu kıyısındaki Vellar Nehri Halici'nden toplanan Alpheus estuariensis türü karideslerde bopyrid izopod Urobopyrus processae'nin ilk kez görüldüğünü bildiriyoruz. Karidesler, Kasım 2024 ile Nisan 2025 tarihleri arasında iki haftada bir toplanmış ve parazit istilası açısından incelenmiştir. İstila, kabuğun şişmesi ve solungaç boşluğunda veya abdomende izopodların varlığı ile belirlenmiştir. Toplanan tüm alpheid karideslerde (n=412), parazit istilasına uğramış bireylerin oranı %3,39 olmuştur. Sonuçlarımız ayrıca dişi karideslerde (%71) erkeklere (%29) göre daha yüksek bir istila baskınlığı göstermiştir. Konak ağırlığı ile parazit ağırlığı arasında pozitif bir korelasyon (R2= 0,3138; p<0,001) bulunmuştur; bu da senkronize büyümeyi göstermektedir. Bu kayıt, U. processae'nin bilinen dağılım aralığını Hint sularına genişletmekle kalmayıp, Vellar haliç ekosistemindeki profiline yeni bir konak türü de eklemektedir.

Keywords

• Tabanca karides
• Alpheus
• Urobopyrus
• Isopoda
• Parazit
• İstila

Project Number

F.No.22018-30/2019-CS (Tax)

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