Davies Charlotte E, Whitten Miranda M A, Kim Anita, Wootton Emma C, Maffeis Thierry G G, Tlusty Michael, Vogan Claire L, Rowley Andrew F
Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
J Invertebr Pathol. 2014 Mar;117:33-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2014.01.001. Epub 2014 Jan 24.
The integument of arthropods is an important first-line defence against the invasion of parasites and pathogens. Once damaged, this can be subject to colonisation by microbial agents from the surrounding environment, which in crustaceans can lead to a condition termed shell disease syndrome. This condition has been reported in several crustacean species, including crabs and lobsters. The syndrome is a progressive condition where the outer cuticle becomes pitted and eroded, and in extreme cases is compromised, leaving animals susceptible to septicaemia. This study examined the susceptibility of juvenile American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus gammarus) lobsters to shell disease, as a result of mechanical damage. Scanning electron microscopy was used as a method to identify differences in the cuticle structure and consequences of mechanical damage. Claw regions were aseptically punctured, whilst carapaces were abraded using sterile sandpaper, to mimic natural damage. After a period of between 10 and 12 weeks, lobsters were sacrificed, fixed and stored for later examination. The carapace and claws of juvenile American lobsters were shown to be thinner and more vulnerable to abrasion damage than their European counterparts. In addition, the number and distribution of setal pits and pore canal openings also differed between the two species of lobster. Mechanical damage resulted in the formation of shell disease lesions on the claw and carapace of both lobster species. However, American lobsters, unlike their European counterparts, had extensive bacterial colonisation on the margins of these lesions. Overall, it is concluded that the cuticle of the American lobster is more susceptible to damage and resulting microbial colonisation. This may have implications for susceptibility of both species of lobster to shell disease syndrome.
节肢动物的体表是抵御寄生虫和病原体入侵的重要第一道防线。一旦受损，就可能被周围环境中的微生物定植，在甲壳类动物中，这可能导致一种称为壳病综合征的病症。这种病症已在包括螃蟹和龙虾在内的几种甲壳类动物中被报道。该综合征是一种渐进性病症，其中外表皮会出现凹坑和侵蚀，在极端情况下会受到损害，使动物易患败血症。本研究考察了幼年美洲龙虾（美洲螯龙虾）和欧洲龙虾（欧洲螯龙虾）因机械损伤而患壳病的易感性。扫描电子显微镜被用作一种方法来识别表皮结构的差异以及机械损伤的后果。用无菌方法穿刺螯部区域，同时用无菌砂纸磨损甲壳，以模拟自然损伤。经过10至12周的时间后，将龙虾处死、固定并储存以供后续检查。结果表明，幼年美洲龙虾的甲壳和螯部比欧洲龙虾更薄，更容易受到磨损损伤。此外，两种龙虾的刚毛坑和孔道开口的数量和分布也有所不同。机械损伤导致两种龙虾的螯部和甲壳上都形成了壳病损伤。然而，与欧洲龙虾不同的是，美洲龙虾在这些损伤边缘有大量细菌定植。总体而言，得出的结论是，美洲龙虾的表皮更容易受到损伤并导致微生物定植。这可能对两种龙虾患壳病综合征的易感性产生影响。
