No Cover Image

E-Thesis 189 views 72 downloads

Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay / GRACE CROCKER

Swansea University Author: GRACE CROCKER

Abstract

The digenean trematode Microphallus similis affects Cancer pagurus populations, influencing the ecological dynamics of this commercially important species. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence prevalence, and intensity is crucial for understanding crustacean disease dynamics. This stu...

Full description

Published: Swansea University, Wales, UK 2025
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Master of Research
Degree name: MRes
Supervisor: Davies, C. E., and Rowley, A.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69882
first_indexed 2025-07-03T12:53:13Z
last_indexed 2025-07-04T06:42:54Z
id cronfa69882
recordtype RisThesis
fullrecord <?xml version="1.0"?><rfc1807><datestamp>2025-07-03T13:53:12.0083767</datestamp><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>69882</id><entry>2025-07-03</entry><title>Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>f40717ddab96fc710462ad15a59d616f</sid><firstname>GRACE</firstname><surname>CROCKER</surname><name>GRACE CROCKER</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2025-07-03</date><abstract>The digenean trematode Microphallus similis affects Cancer pagurus populations, influencing the ecological dynamics of this commercially important species. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence prevalence, and intensity is crucial for understanding crustacean disease dynamics. This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and identification of trematodes in C. pagurus at Mumbles Pier and Oxwich Bay, focusing on temporal variation, host sex, size and environmental conditions. Crabs were sampled from both locations, with analyses of M. similis using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Microphallus similis was present at both sites, with greater prevalence in April and August, likely due to favourable temperatures and host availability. Although location was not statistically significant, prevalence was greater at Oxwich Bay, potentially due to favourable conditions.Size was associated with the presence of M. similis, but no biometric or environmental variables significantly influenced parasite severity at either site. Additionally, metacercariae size did not differ between locations. The study highlights the potential implications for C.pagurus populations and the broader ecosystem, including possible effects on species dynamics and ecological interactions. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of trematodes and their interactions with crustacean hosts, including how these dynamics may influence host health, population dynamics and ecosystem stability.</abstract><type>E-Thesis</type><journal/><volume/><journalNumber/><paginationStart/><paginationEnd/><publisher/><placeOfPublication>Swansea University, Wales, UK</placeOfPublication><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint/><issnElectronic/><keywords>Trematode, Microphallus similis, disease, parasites, PCR, phylogeny, edible crab, Cancer pagurus, Wales, Swansea Bay, Mumbles Pier, Oxwich Bay</keywords><publishedDay>20</publishedDay><publishedMonth>5</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2025</publishedYear><publishedDate>2025-05-20</publishedDate><doi/><url/><notes>A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information.</notes><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><supervisor>Davies, C. E., and Rowley, A.</supervisor><degreelevel>Master of Research</degreelevel><degreename>MRes</degreename><apcterm/><funders/><projectreference/><lastEdited>2025-07-03T13:53:12.0083767</lastEdited><Created>2025-07-03T13:45:34.8059019</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Science and Engineering</level><level id="2">School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences</level></path><authors><author><firstname>GRACE</firstname><surname>CROCKER</surname><order>1</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>69882__34662__94992bc039c74d1a935be943cbac4c33.pdf</filename><originalFilename>2024_Crocker_G.final.69882.pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2025-07-03T13:51:09.0149923</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>2467568</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>E-Thesis &#x2013; open access</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><documentNotes>Copyright: The author, Grace Crocker, 2024</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling 2025-07-03T13:53:12.0083767 v2 69882 2025-07-03 Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay f40717ddab96fc710462ad15a59d616f GRACE CROCKER GRACE CROCKER true false 2025-07-03 The digenean trematode Microphallus similis affects Cancer pagurus populations, influencing the ecological dynamics of this commercially important species. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence prevalence, and intensity is crucial for understanding crustacean disease dynamics. This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and identification of trematodes in C. pagurus at Mumbles Pier and Oxwich Bay, focusing on temporal variation, host sex, size and environmental conditions. Crabs were sampled from both locations, with analyses of M. similis using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Microphallus similis was present at both sites, with greater prevalence in April and August, likely due to favourable temperatures and host availability. Although location was not statistically significant, prevalence was greater at Oxwich Bay, potentially due to favourable conditions.Size was associated with the presence of M. similis, but no biometric or environmental variables significantly influenced parasite severity at either site. Additionally, metacercariae size did not differ between locations. The study highlights the potential implications for C.pagurus populations and the broader ecosystem, including possible effects on species dynamics and ecological interactions. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of trematodes and their interactions with crustacean hosts, including how these dynamics may influence host health, population dynamics and ecosystem stability. E-Thesis Swansea University, Wales, UK Trematode, Microphallus similis, disease, parasites, PCR, phylogeny, edible crab, Cancer pagurus, Wales, Swansea Bay, Mumbles Pier, Oxwich Bay 20 5 2025 2025-05-20 A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Davies, C. E., and Rowley, A. Master of Research MRes 2025-07-03T13:53:12.0083767 2025-07-03T13:45:34.8059019 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences GRACE CROCKER 1 69882__34662__94992bc039c74d1a935be943cbac4c33.pdf 2024_Crocker_G.final.69882.pdf 2025-07-03T13:51:09.0149923 Output 2467568 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The author, Grace Crocker, 2024 true eng
title Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
spellingShingle Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
GRACE CROCKER
title_short Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
title_full Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
title_fullStr Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
title_full_unstemmed Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
title_sort Parasitic Diseases of Crabs in Swansea Bay
author_id_str_mv f40717ddab96fc710462ad15a59d616f
author_id_fullname_str_mv f40717ddab96fc710462ad15a59d616f_***_GRACE CROCKER
author GRACE CROCKER
author2 GRACE CROCKER
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description The digenean trematode Microphallus similis affects Cancer pagurus populations, influencing the ecological dynamics of this commercially important species. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence prevalence, and intensity is crucial for understanding crustacean disease dynamics. This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and identification of trematodes in C. pagurus at Mumbles Pier and Oxwich Bay, focusing on temporal variation, host sex, size and environmental conditions. Crabs were sampled from both locations, with analyses of M. similis using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Microphallus similis was present at both sites, with greater prevalence in April and August, likely due to favourable temperatures and host availability. Although location was not statistically significant, prevalence was greater at Oxwich Bay, potentially due to favourable conditions.Size was associated with the presence of M. similis, but no biometric or environmental variables significantly influenced parasite severity at either site. Additionally, metacercariae size did not differ between locations. The study highlights the potential implications for C.pagurus populations and the broader ecosystem, including possible effects on species dynamics and ecological interactions. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of trematodes and their interactions with crustacean hosts, including how these dynamics may influence host health, population dynamics and ecosystem stability.
published_date 2025-05-20T05:29:21Z
_version_ 1851097939086147584
score 11.089386

Similar Items