EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP OF LIFE HISTORY VARIATION, CSRV1 PREVALENCE AND HOST RANGE IN CALLINECTES SPP.

Abstract

The Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, is an economically significant crustacean essential to commercial and artisanal fisheries across its broad geographic range, extending from Canada to Uruguay. Ensuring the sustainability and productivity of these fisheries requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing crab populations, including disease dynamics. Diseases significantly impact aquatic species, causing profound economic and ecological consequences. Throughout its extensive range, C. sapidus is known to be infected with the pathogenic virus Callinectes sapidus Reovirus 1 (CsRV1). However, the prevalence of CsRV1 is lower in tropical environments, potentially due to variations in life history traits, ecological community composition, and pathogen host specificity. Despite these patterns, knowledge about C. sapidus and its congeners in tropical regions remains limited. This dissertation aims to address these critical knowledge gaps by investigating the life history and four common pathogens affecting Callinectes spp. in tropical estuaries. These studies mainly focused on three objectives: 1) characterize the life history of Callinectes spp. in a coastal lagoon in Puerto Rico, 2) assess the prevalence and distribution patterns of CsRV1, Hematodinium perezi, White Spot Syndrome Virus, and CsRV2 in the tropics, and 3) evaluate the host range of CsRV1 among Callinectes species, including potential reservoir hosts among associated prey, particularly panopeid crabs. Together, these studies enhance our understanding of how environmental factors influence host-pathogen interactions and help clarify the lower prevalence of CsRV1 in tropical regions. This research provides valuable insights for developing effective biosecurity measures and sustainable fisheries management practices, ultimately supporting the resilience and economic stability of crustacean fisheries globally.