The selective advantage of host feminization: a case study of the green crab Carcinus maenas and the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini

Tommy Kristensen; Anders Isberg Nielsen; Anders Isak Stig-Jørgensen; Kim Nørgaard Mouritsen; Henrik Glenner; Jens T. Christensen; Jørgen Lützen; Jens Thorvald Høeg

doi:10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4

The selective advantage of host feminization: a case study of the green crab Carcinus maenas and the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini

Tommy Kristensen, Anders Isberg Nielsen, Anders Isak Stig-Jørgensen, Kim Nørgaard Mouritsen, Henrik Glenner, Jens T. Christensen, Jørgen Lützen, Jens Thorvald Høeg

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Male crabs infected by parasitic barnacles (Rhizocephala) are known to be morphologically feminized. Here, we investigate morphological chances in green crabs, Carcinus maenas, induced by the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini. Infected males acquire a broader, longer and segmented abdomen, fringed with marginal setae. Copulatory appendages and pereopods are reduced in length, and the chelae become smaller. The feminization show great individual variation. Males with scars from lost externae, the parasites reproductive organ situated under the abdomen, are less modified than males carrying an externa, and the feminization is more pronounced in smaller than in larger males. No super-feminization is evident in female crabs that remain morphologically unaffected by infection. The protective value of a parasitically induced enlargement of the male abdomen may constitute an adaptation that increases parasite longevity. The additional effects on male morphology are viewed as pleiotropic side effects of the main adaptive value of enlarging the abdomen.

Original language	English
Journal	Marine Biology
Volume	159
Issue number	9
Pages (from-to)	2015-2023
Number of pages	9
ISSN	0025-3162
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4
Publication status	Published - Sept 2012

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10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4

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@article{1225f4123e5e4de6bb55eb82f194c1be,

title = "The selective advantage of host feminization: a case study of the green crab Carcinus maenas and the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini",

abstract = "Male crabs infected by parasitic barnacles (Rhizocephala) are known to be morphologically feminized. Here, we investigate morphological chances in green crabs, Carcinus maenas, induced by the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini. Infected males acquire a broader, longer and segmented abdomen, fringed with marginal setae. Copulatory appendages and pereopods are reduced in length, and the chelae become smaller. The feminization show great individual variation. Males with scars from lost externae, the parasites reproductive organ situated under the abdomen, are less modified than males carrying an externa, and the feminization is more pronounced in smaller than in larger males. No super-feminization is evident in female crabs that remain morphologically unaffected by infection. The protective value of a parasitically induced enlargement of the male abdomen may constitute an adaptation that increases parasite longevity. The additional effects on male morphology are viewed as pleiotropic side effects of the main adaptive value of enlarging the abdomen.",

author = "Tommy Kristensen and Nielsen, {Anders Isberg} and Stig-J{\o}rgensen, {Anders Isak} and Mouritsen, {Kim N{\o}rgaard} and Henrik Glenner and Christensen, {Jens T.} and J{\o}rgen L{\"u}tzen and H{\o}eg, {Jens Thorvald}",

year = "2012",

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doi = "10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4",

language = "English",

volume = "159",

pages = "2015--2023",

journal = "Marine Biology",

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T1 - The selective advantage of host feminization

T2 - a case study of the green crab Carcinus maenas and the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini

AU - Kristensen, Tommy

AU - Nielsen, Anders Isberg

AU - Stig-Jørgensen, Anders Isak

AU - Mouritsen, Kim Nørgaard

AU - Glenner, Henrik

AU - Christensen, Jens T.

AU - Lützen, Jørgen

AU - Høeg, Jens Thorvald

PY - 2012/9

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N2 - Male crabs infected by parasitic barnacles (Rhizocephala) are known to be morphologically feminized. Here, we investigate morphological chances in green crabs, Carcinus maenas, induced by the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini. Infected males acquire a broader, longer and segmented abdomen, fringed with marginal setae. Copulatory appendages and pereopods are reduced in length, and the chelae become smaller. The feminization show great individual variation. Males with scars from lost externae, the parasites reproductive organ situated under the abdomen, are less modified than males carrying an externa, and the feminization is more pronounced in smaller than in larger males. No super-feminization is evident in female crabs that remain morphologically unaffected by infection. The protective value of a parasitically induced enlargement of the male abdomen may constitute an adaptation that increases parasite longevity. The additional effects on male morphology are viewed as pleiotropic side effects of the main adaptive value of enlarging the abdomen.

AB - Male crabs infected by parasitic barnacles (Rhizocephala) are known to be morphologically feminized. Here, we investigate morphological chances in green crabs, Carcinus maenas, induced by the parasitic barnacle Sacculina carcini. Infected males acquire a broader, longer and segmented abdomen, fringed with marginal setae. Copulatory appendages and pereopods are reduced in length, and the chelae become smaller. The feminization show great individual variation. Males with scars from lost externae, the parasites reproductive organ situated under the abdomen, are less modified than males carrying an externa, and the feminization is more pronounced in smaller than in larger males. No super-feminization is evident in female crabs that remain morphologically unaffected by infection. The protective value of a parasitically induced enlargement of the male abdomen may constitute an adaptation that increases parasite longevity. The additional effects on male morphology are viewed as pleiotropic side effects of the main adaptive value of enlarging the abdomen.

U2 - 10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4

DO - 10.1007/s00227-012-1988-4

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0025-3162

VL - 159

SP - 2015

EP - 2023

JO - Marine Biology

JF - Marine Biology

IS - 9

ER -