The Invasion Level of the Hermit Crab, Diogenes pugilator Roux 1828 (Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae), by the Rhizocephala Crustacean, Septosaccus cuenoti Duboscq 1912 (Rhizocephala, Peltogastridae) in the Black Sea off the Coast of Crimea.

This study is concerned with determining the infection rates of the hermit crab of the family Diogenidae, living off the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula, Black Sea, with representatives of the superorder Rhizocephala. Individuals of the hermit crab, Diogenes pugilator were identified as being invaded by the specific parasite, Septosaccus cuenoti, with the invasion extensity (prevalence) and intensity at 10.6% and 0–2 individuals, respectively. It examines the morphology of the external part of the female parasite, and the externa, as well as eggs developing inside it. The embryonic development of the egg was found to occur in four stages. Calculations performed for each growth stage include the major and minor diameters of the egg; the shape index, and area and volume; the number of eggs with the developing embryos in the externa; the potential number of nauplii hatched by the female Septosaccus cuenoti per generation; and the estimated share of their yield from the initial number of fertilized oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]