On an instance of parasitisation by the pea-crab (Pinnotheres sp.) on the backwater clam Mmeretrix casta (Chemnitz) from India, with a review of the work on the systematics, ecology biology and ethology of pea crabs of the genus Pinnotheres latreille

Silas, E G and Alagarswami, K (1967) On an instance of parasitisation by the pea-crab (Pinnotheres sp.) on the backwater clam Mmeretrix casta (Chemnitz) from India, with a review of the work on the systematics, ecology biology and ethology of pea crabs of the genus Pinnotheres latreille. In: Proceedings of the Symposium on Crustacea, Part 3, MBAI, 12-16 January 1965, Ernakulam.

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Abstract

A few species of the genus Pinnotheres Latreille are known to be definite parasites of some bivalves, while the great majority of the pea-crabs may be classed as obligate commensals and live in bivalve molluscs, echinoderms and ascidians. The backwater clam Meretrix casta (Chemintz) from Malpe, on the west coast of India was found to be infested with a species of the pea-crab and a careful study of the infected clams indicated definite damages caused by the crab to the gills, mantle, gonad and digestive gland of the host indicating a clear case of parasitism. Descriptive account of the pea-crab, the meat weight-total weight ratio in the infected and uninfected clams, and other details are dealt with here.

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