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Hematodinium sp.

Stentiford, G.D.,Green, M., Bateman, K.S., Small, H.J., Neil, D.M., Feist, S.W. (2002) Infection by a Hematodinium-like parasitic dinoflagellate causes Pink Crab Disease (PCD) in the edible crab Cancer pagurus. J.Inv. Path. 79, (3), 179-19

Mortalities to pre-recruit and adult populations can reach 100%. Hematodinium can infect Nephrops norvegicus, Callinectes spp., Cancer spp., Carcinus maenas, Chionoecetes spp., Trapezia spp., Scylla serrata, Portunus pelagicus, Portunus latipes, Ovalipes ocellatus, Panopeus herbstii, Neopanope sayi, Necora puber, Menippe mercenaria, Maja squinado, Liocarcinus depurator, Libinia emarginata, Hexapanopeus angustifron. Gross symptoms - Hyperpigmentation of carapace often accompanied by chalky or cooked appearance, discolouration of arthrodial membranes and genital pores in females. Opaque to creamy colouration of haemolymph and in heavily infected crabs coagulopathy (lack of clotting ability). Crabs and lobsters exhibit haemocytopenia (decline in haemocytes)

Muscle - Lysis of peripheral fibre regions and seperation of the sarcolemma from the myofibrils, degeneration of claw muscle occurs, disorganisation of filaments in the region of Z-line. Hepatopancreas - Parasites have been observed in close association, possibly even Muscle to basal lamina of hp. In patently infected hosts hp exhibits loss of structure, haemal arterioles are grossly dilated and filled with large numbers of parasitic plasmodial cells. Parasites can be seen within lumen of intact tubules in heavy infections. Gonad - Arterioles of ovary and testis can be heavily infiltrated with parasite during patent infections. Infected females do not develop mature ovaries.Plasmodial forms of parasite have also been described in the haemal spaces of gill, heart, eye-stalk, connective tissue of gut, sinuses of antennal gland and brain

English Channel