Prevalence of two epicaridean isopods (Bopyridae and Entoniscidae) associated with the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus Say, 1817 (Anomura) from the New Jersey coast (U.S.A.).

The epicaridean isopods Stegophryxus hyptius and Paguritherium alatum, parasitic in the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus, are reported for the first time in New Jersey waters. Fourteen of 9,111 crabs (0.15%) were infested with the ectoparasitic S. hyptius, and 4 of 3,703 crabs (0.11%) were infected with the hemocoel-dwelling P. alatum. Crabs of both sexes were parasitized by each species. Prevalences of S. hyptius and P. alatum were considerably lower than those recorded over 50 yr ago in the Woods Hole region of Massachusetts.