Seung-Hyeon Kim , Jinxia Long , Tae-Sung Song , Donghyun Lee , Hyoun Joong Kim , Hyung-Bae Jeon , Yu Chen , H.M.V. Udayantha , Hye-Mi Lee , Isabelle Arzul , Henry S. Lane , S.D.N.K. Bathige , Kyung-Il Park
{"title":"First report of Bonamia ostreae in wild flat oysters (Ostrea denselamellosa) from the west coast of Korea: Molecular and histopathological confirmation","authors":"Seung-Hyeon Kim , Jinxia Long , Tae-Sung Song , Donghyun Lee , Hyoun Joong Kim , Hyung-Bae Jeon , Yu Chen , H.M.V. Udayantha , Hye-Mi Lee , Isabelle Arzul , Henry S. Lane , S.D.N.K. Bathige , Kyung-Il Park","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bonamia ostreae</em> is a protozoan parasite of significant concern in oyster aquaculture due to its impact on flat oyster species. In this study, we screened 30 wild flat oysters (<em>Ostrea denselamellosa</em>) collected from the western coastal region of South Korea for <em>B. ostreae</em> infection using two molecular assays. Species-specific BOSTRE-F/R primers targeting the ITS region detected 14/30 (46.67 %) positive samples, while <em>Bonamia</em> genus-specific Bo/Boas primers targeting the SSU rRNA region yielded 19/30 (63.33 %) positives. Although the higher detection rate with Bo/Boas primers raised the possibility of other <em>Bonamia</em> species, further PCR using <em>B. exitiosa</em>-specific primers confirmed the absence of <em>B. exitiosa</em>. To enhance species identification and phylogenetic analysis, extended SSU rDNA sequences (1,094 bp) were amplified using two primer sets, one newly developed for this study. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the South Korean isolate clustered tightly within the <em>B. ostreae</em> clade alongside strains from Europe and North America, suggesting low genetic diversity and a possible recent introduction via human-mediated oyster movements. Histological examination and in situ hybridization (ISH) confirmed the presence of <em>B. ostreae</em> microcells localized within hemocytes and surrounding connective tissues. Despite successful detection, the infection intensity was low, and histopathological changes were mild, suggesting that <em>O. denselamellosa</em> may be relatively less susceptible to <em>B. ostreae</em>, though further investigation is needed to assess its role in the parasite’s transmission dynamics. These findings highlight the need for enhanced molecular surveillance and international biosecurity measures, as this study represents the first confirmed report of <em>B. ostreae</em> infection in <em>O. denselamellosa</em> and the first record of this parasite in East Asia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108489"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145451986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ethiane Rozo Santos , Raul Alberto Laumann , Bergmann Morais Ribeiro , Andreza F. de Bem , Daniel M.P. Ardisson-Araújo
{"title":"Prevalence, replication, and tissue-specific localization of Euschistus heros virus (EhV) across life stages of the Neotropical brown stinkbug Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)","authors":"Ethiane Rozo Santos , Raul Alberto Laumann , Bergmann Morais Ribeiro , Andreza F. de Bem , Daniel M.P. Ardisson-Araújo","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108457","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Neotropical brown stink bug,<!--> <em>Euschistus heros</em> <!-->(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a major agricultural pest in Brazilian soybean crops, exhibiting increasing insecticide resistance in field. This study investigates the dynamics of<!--> <!-->Euschistus heros<!--> <!-->virus (EhV), a multispecies iflavirus, in laboratory populations of<!--> <em>E. heros</em>, revealing a persistent, systemic virus infection across all life stages. Screening of 99 adults showed 100 % EhV genome prevalence in mated individuals, while virgin males and females had an 80 % infection rate. Viral loads peaked in freshly laid eggs (590,462 ± 27,426 copies/ng RNA), suggesting likely maternal transmission, before declining sharply in nymphs with an 18.08-fold reduction by the fifth instar. Adults exhibited sex- and mating-status-dependent variation, with virgin females harboring the highest copy number (227,380 ± 144,938 copies/ng RNA), which is 2.87-fold higher than mated females. Tissue-specific analysis revealed elevated EhV genome accumulation in legs/wings (221,723 ± 102,120 copies/ng RNA in males) and heads, with significantly lower loads in thoraces and abdomens. Strand-specific RT-qPCR suggested that EhV may exhibit replicative activity across developmental stages, as indicated by approximately balanced levels of genomic and replicative strands. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy of antennal tissues from an infected male individual revealed cytoplasmic icosahedral virions (∼30 nm), providing the first ultrastructural evidence of EhV assembly. These findings suggest that EhV may establish a stable, replicative association with <em>E. heros</em> and point to vertical transmission as a plausible mechanism of persistence. Nonetheless, confirmation of this pattern will require additional analyses with larger sample sizes, field collected insects, and complementary experimental approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108457"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145092184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Meiqi Weng , Chuangzheng Yang , Xunbo Miao , Nan Sun , Mei Cao , Suxin Liu , Jinyong Zhang , Xingqiang Wang
{"title":"Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species, Cyclopispora nantong n. gen. n. sp. from the adipose tissue of Eucyclops speratus (Crustacea: Cyclopidae)","authors":"Meiqi Weng , Chuangzheng Yang , Xunbo Miao , Nan Sun , Mei Cao , Suxin Liu , Jinyong Zhang , Xingqiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new microsporidium, <em>Cyclopispora nantong</em> n. gen. n. sp., was described from the adipose tissue of <em>Eucyclops speratus</em> collected from a eutrophic water body of Nantong city, Jiangsu province, China. Infected copepods generally appeared opaque due to numerous spores accumulated in the adipose tissue. The earliest developmental stages observed were uninucleate meronts which resided in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm. Mature spores were pyriform, monokaryotic, and measured 4.38 ± 0.20 (4.14–4.81) µm in length and 2.94 ± 0.09 (2.78–3.12) µm in width. The bipartite polaroplast consisted of the wide anterior lamellae and the tightly packed posterior lamellae. Isofilar polar filament coiled 13–16 turns and arranged in 3–4 rows. The 1306 bp SSU sequence obtained from <em>E. speratus</em> showed the highest similarity (85.9 %) to <em>Hazardia milleri</em> (AY09006) among the identified microsporidia. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the present species clustered with an unidentified <em>B. latissima lata</em>-infecting species with high support values to form an independent branch which positioned the base of the <em>Conglomerata-Gurleya-Agglomerata-Binucleata-Senoma-Pseudoberwaldia</em> lineage. Based on the morphological characters and ultrastructural features, as well as SSU rDNA-inferred phylogenetic relationships, we propose the establishment of a novel genus (<em>Cyclopispora</em> n. gen.) and species (<em>Cyclopispora nantong</em> n. sp.) to contain this parasite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108454"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145080464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Research progress on the function of Toll pathway in heteropteran insects: A review","authors":"Wen-Hao Dong , Huai-Jun Xue , Yi-Peng Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108495","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108495","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As an important component of innate immunity in insects, the Toll pathway is a conserved signaling cascade that activates humoral immunity through NF-κB-related pathways, contributing to the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and effectors in response to fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Although extensive advances have been made in the identification and function of the Toll pathway in insects, knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of this pathway in heteropteran insects, for which the available knowledge is rare, is essential for exploring their developmental and immune functions to exploit species-specific and environmentally friendly bioinsecticides for control of heteropteran pests. In addition, increasing attention has been given to the activation, signal transduction and regulation of the Toll pathway in response to various stimuli in heteropteran insects because of the absence of some components of the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway and interaction with gut symbionts. In this review, we outline the current research progress on the functional roles of the Toll pathway in several heteropteran insects, such as <em>Riptortus pedestris</em>, <em>Rhodnius prolixus</em>, <em>Triatoma pallidipennis</em>, <em>Cimex lectularius</em>, <em>Plautia stali</em>, and others, which are involved in the responses to changes in feeding conditions, pathogenic infection, embryogenesis and wing polyphenism, as well as interactions with gut symbionts. Ultimately, we propose a framework for future research on the identification and functional characterization of the Toll pathway to expand the current data and address potential limitations on the investigation and application of this pathway in the design of pioneering pest control strategies for heteropteran pests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108495"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aleksandra S. Sokolova , Tatyana V. Frolova , Evgeny I. Izvekov , Galina I. Izvekova
{"title":"Infection with trematodes Apophallus sp. affects the growth and activity of hydrolytic enzymes in the invasive gravel snail Lithoglyphus naticoides","authors":"Aleksandra S. Sokolova , Tatyana V. Frolova , Evgeny I. Izvekov , Galina I. Izvekova","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108461","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108461","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Currently, the alien freshwater gastropod <em>Lithoglyphus naticoides</em> is rapidly expanding its range and promoting the spread of parasitic trematodes <em>Apophallus</em> sp. These flatworms use the snail as intermediate host and may cause the dangerous black-spotted disease in fish juveniles. However, despite the obvious importance of knowing the physiological bases of this host-parasite interplay, studies in this area remain scanty. Therefore we focused on the size-weight and physiological parameters of <em>L.<!--> <!-->naticoides</em> and their changes in response to <em>Apophallus</em> infection. It was found that the shell height and total body weight significantly increase in the infected molluscs. In contrast, protease activities were significantly lower in infected than in naïve snails over a wide pH range. Inhibitor analysis showed the presence of serine-, cysteine- and metalloproteinase activity in <em>L.<!--> <!-->naticoides</em>. Trematode infection most strongly affected the serine proteinases, reducing their activity levels. At the same time, the infection did not cause a decrease in α–amylase activity in the gravel snails. Moreover, at certain pH values, α–amylase activity was significantly higher in parasitized than in non-parasitized specimens. These metabolic features may contribute to growth acceleration in parasitized hosts, thereby affecting their survival and spread, which eventually may have far–reaching consequences for the reservoir ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108461"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145130978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tai-Sheng Su , Chin-Chun Wu , Tzu-Yin Lin , Cheng-Hsiang Liu
{"title":"Beehive-entrance imaging and deep learning for real-time monitoring of Varroa destructor in apiculture","authors":"Tai-Sheng Su , Chin-Chun Wu , Tzu-Yin Lin , Cheng-Hsiang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108465","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Varroa destructor</em> is a major ectoparasite threatening apiculture worldwide, especially in Taiwan. We retrofit conventional hives with an entrance imaging chamber and deploy a YOLOv5s-based detector for real-time mite detection on Apis mellifera. Trained on 1,600 annotated images supplemented with mite close-ups, the model achieved a mean average precision ([email protected]) of 97.4 %. Video tests at hive entrances further confirmed robust performance under motion and illumination variability. We retrofitted conventional hives with an entrance imaging chamber and implemented a YOLOv5s-based detector for real-time mite detection. To facilitate adoption, we present a per-hive bill of materials and a five-year annualized cost model, demonstrating a low annual per-hive cost suitable for apiary-scale deployment. The proposed system reduces labor-intensive inspections and enables early mite detection, contributing to sustainable and data-driven beekeeping practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108465"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seasonal dynamics of Polydora infestation in eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from a tidally restricted New England estuary","authors":"Ava Sheedy, Andrew A. Davinack","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shell-boring polychaetes of the genus <em>Polydora</em> pose a significant threat to oyster aquaculture worldwide, yet little is known about their seasonal dynamics in tidally restricted estuaries. This study investigates the prevalence, intensity, and environmental covariates of <em>Polydora websteri</em> infestation in wild eastern oysters (<em>Crassostrea virginica</em>) over a 12-month period in the Herring River estuary (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), a system slated for tidal restoration. Oysters were collected monthly, and worms identified morphologically and by COI barcoding. Infestations were observed year-round, with prevalence and intensity lowest in late summer and peaking in fall-winter. Gravid females were only observed from April through August, indicating a seasonal reproductive window. The seasonal peak in visible infestation and pathology in colder months is therefore consistent with a lag between summer recruitment and subsequent shell damage. Using a Gaussian generalized linear model as a descriptive correlational tool, we observed a negative association between temperature and monthly mean intensity at this site and year; salinity and pH showed no detectable association. These associations are interpreted within the seasonal/lag context rather than as casual drivers. Overall, this work provides baseline data on seasonal <em>Polydora</em> dynamics in the Herring River estuary that will be essential for future, post-restoration assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Glycosylation in invertebrate immunity: Host response and pathogen evasion strategies","authors":"Feifei Zhu, Tingting Xue, Keping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108503","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108503","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Glycosylation, a key post-translational protein modification, has been found central to host-pathogen interactions, underpinning numerous critical interactions mediated by carbohydrate structures (glycans). Glycan-dependent interactions regulate pathogen adhesion, recognition, invasion, and immune evasion. Invertebrates represent the largest and most diverse group of species on Earth, from established classical model organisms such as <em>Drosophila</em> and <em>Caenorhabditis,</em> to medically relevant parasites and disease-carrying vectors. However, glycan-mediated interactions between invertebrates and their pathogens remain far less studied compared to vertebrate systems. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of invertebrate glycosylation, including N- and O-glycans and glycosaminoglycans, in defense against diverse pathogens, and the immune-evasive role of glycosylation employed by invertebrate (or invertebrate-borne) pathogens during host infection. While current research highlights the critical importance of glycosylation in these interactions, some key gaps persist: a lack of comprehensive glycomic and glycoproteomics analysis across representative invertebrate species, and poor understanding of receptor molecules and signaling mechanisms for these glycans and glycoproteins. We hope this review will stimulate further research into this critical yet underexplored facet of invertebrate-pathogen interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108503"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145648729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gill microbiome and tissue microstructural damages of the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas following the infection with boring sponge Pione vastifica","authors":"A.L. Brioukhanov , E.S. Chelebieva , E.S. Kladchenko , M.S. Podolskaya , T.V. Gavruseva , A.Yu. Andreyeva","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Clionid boring sponges are pests that may colonize the shells of bivalve mollusks, including Pacific oysters (<em>Magallana gigas</em>). Infection with the boring sponge <em>Pione vastifica</em> can be associated with fitness of oysters by reducing their growth rate and survival. Microbial communities play an important role in the host’s ability to adapt and survive under disease, and they are extremely sensitive to invasions by pathogens and parasites. In this study, we compared the diversity of gill microbiomes in a group of Pacific oysters that were parasitized by the boring sponge (<em>P. vastifica</em>), and a control group of healthy oysters without signs of sponge presence on shells. In addition, we evaluated histopathological lesions in gills of sponge-infected oysters. The microstructure of gills was significantly damaged in oysters with the boring sponge settled on shells and showed numerous histological lesions including inflammation, necrosis and abnormalities of filaments. Abundant hemocyte infiltration indicated active immune response in respiratory tissue of infected oysters. Histopathological changes in gills were accompanied with the transition of the microbial community to disbalance state. The taxonomic diversity of symbiotic microorganisms in the infected oysters was significantly lower than in the healthy mollusks. The drastic changes at both higher and lower levels of taxonomic ranks of microorganisms were observed. These findings indicate that infection by boring sponges is associated with the substantial changes in gill microbiome and provide new insights into the effects of boring sponges on symbiotic bacterial communities within the Pacific oysters they inhabit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108477"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145345629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Grace N. Crocker, Alexander T. Bedford, Andrew F. Rowley, Charlotte E. Davies
{"title":"Are all brachyuran crabs found in the intertidal zone intermediate hosts for digenean parasites?","authors":"Grace N. Crocker, Alexander T. Bedford, Andrew F. Rowley, Charlotte E. Davies","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Digenean trematodes with complex life cycles often use marine crabs as intermediate hosts, but their distribution across crab species is not fully understood. Previous reports of <em>Microphallus similis</em> in edible crabs (<em>Cancer pagurus</em>) relied on morphological identification, leaving potential for misidentification. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, identity, and host range of digenean parasites in intertidal brachyuran crabs from South Wales, U.K. Over six months, crabs were collected from two rocky shore sites and examined for metacercariae in the hepatopancreas. Parasites were morphologically assessed and identified by sequencing the 28S rDNA region. Metacercariae were found exclusively in juvenile <em>C. pagurus</em>, with ∼ 30 % prevalence and low individual burdens ranging from 1 to 69 cysts. All sequenced parasites were confirmed as <em>M. similis</em>. No infections were detected in <em>Necora puber</em>, <em>Xantho pilipes</em>, or <em>X. hydrophilus</em>. Logistic regression indicated that infection prevalence in <em>C. pagurus</em> varied significantly with month and crab size. This study provides the first molecular confirmation of <em>M. similis</em> in edible crabs from the U.K. and highlights species-specific susceptibility linked to differences in ecology and feeding behaviour. The absence of infection in co-occurring crabs suggests that <em>C. pagurus</em> plays a uniquely important role in the parasite’s transmission cycle in intertidal environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144933914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}