Dvoretsky, A.G. & V.G. Dvoretsky. (2026). Novel data on symbiotic copepods inhabiting invasive red king crabs in the Barents Sea. Symbiosis. 98(2):165-183. Mar 2026.

568836

10.1007/s13199-026-01114-0 [view]

Dvoretsky, A.G. & V.G. Dvoretsky

2026

98(2):165-183. Mar 2026

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Only recently have copepods been identified as epibionts of the invasive red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, in Dalnezelenetskaya Bay, a development attributed to the eastward range expansions of this invasive species in the southern Barents Sea. This paper offers an update on the species composition, infestation indices, and localization patterns of copepods associated with red king crabs, based on a comprehensive three-year survey conducted from 2012 to 2014. We documented 21 copepod species, which expands the list of copepods inhabiting red king crabs by 13 new records. Most species exhibited low prevalence and intensity of infestation, classifying them as occasional epibionts. However, six species emerged as symbionts, characterized by high frequency of occurrence and abundance. Among these, Tisbe furcata, Harpacticus uniremis, Ectinosoma normani, and Mesochra pygmaea were the most prevalent. A discernible trend toward increasing copepod diversity suggests an ongoing process of co-adaptation between the red king crab and indigenous copepod species. The primary factor influencing copepod infestation levels was found to be the crab size, whereas additional biological variables included the age of the exoskeleton, crab sex, and the rate of limb injuries. The contributions of these drivers to overall variability varied by year, reflecting inter-annual fluctuations in the population structure of red king crabs. Populations of the most commonly encountered copepod species were predominantly composed of adult individuals. Comparisons with earlier data revealed differences in their maximum body length, providing novel insights into the biology of harpacticoid copepods in the Barents Sea.

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