Observation on the host-parasite relationship of Epipenaeon ingens Nobili (Epicaridea: Bopyridae) and Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan.

Abstract

Sample of Penaus semisulcatus or Tiger Shrimp ("hipong bulik") from Manila Bay and Tayabas bay, and from waters off Palawan, Cebu, Samar and Capiz were obtained from Navotas Fishery Port during the period from March, 1978 to Febuary, 1979. The prevalence of Epipenaeon ingens in P. semisulcatus is 4.83/1000. No significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevelence of infection between the sezes was found. The parasites (E. ingens) was lodged on either side of the host's carapace and there was no significant difference in the regression analyses of the tumor size on carapace length wheter tumor is on the left or right side of the carapace of either male or female host. Despite the homogenity of regression lines in the comparative analyses of length-weight relationship of infected and uninfected P. semisulcatus, the slope of the regression of the infected sample are always higher than the value for the uninfected ones.