Geographic distribution Enzootic in feral and captive, larval, postlarval, juvenile and adult lobsters, as well as other decapods from both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean. Prevalance in cultured lobsters in California has been low. Observed in low prevalances in Libinia emarginata, Carcinus maenas, Cancer borealis , and Penaeus aztecus . Experimentally transmitted to Panulirus interruptus, Pandalus platyceros, Cancer irroratus, Cancer magister, Geryon quiquedens, Chionoecetes opilio, Callinectes sapidus. Impact on the host Transmitted through puncture wounds or lesions.
Infection often causes death.
Rapid and significant increase in mortality among impounded lobsters, particularly after stress. Heavily infected specimens may have slightly reddish discolouration visible through the integument of the underside of the abdomen. Haemolymph is thin and pinkish with a drastic reduction in number of circulating haemocytes and clotting time may be prolongued to absent in late infections. Light infections can be detected by inoculating 0.5 ml haemolymph into phenethyl selective broth medium, incubate at 28 C for 24 hr. Avoid wounding and crowding lobsters.