Bopyrus squillarum is an isopod parasite of the infraorder Epicaridea. As such, B. squillarum is an ectoparasite, feeding off crustaceans hemolymph.[1] This parasite is specific to common prawns (Palaemon serratus), but can rarely be found on other species of the genus Palaemon such as P. elegans.[2]
| Bopyrus squillarum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Family: | Bopyridae |
| Genus: | Bopyrus |
| Species: |
B. squillarum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bopyrus squillarum Latreille, 1802 | |
Bopyrus squillarum can be found in marine habitats all along the northeast Atlantic coast as well as the north sea.[2][3] The number of B. squillarum infections seem to vary over the years, as studies have shown infection rates ranging from 6.4% to 20.1% between 1969 and 2014 along the Irish coast.[4]
During its planktonic larval stage, the young B. squillarum attaches to a young P. serratus and settles down in its branchial chamber. As the parasite and the prawn grow up, the parasite creates a bulge in the prawns carapace.[2] The female B. squillarum is much bigger than the male and is the parasite that attaches to the host. The smaller male will attach itself to a female to breed.[2] While present, B. squillarum will lead to a reduction in its hosts gonads and prevent the host's reproduction.[2][4] The B. squillarum parasite has a shorter lifespan than its host, falling out of the branchial chamber of the prawn upon death.[2][4]
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