Meeting Abstract

P1-150  Saturday, Jan. 4  Comparison of Parasite Occurrence Between Three Native and one Non-native Palaemon Species of Grass Shrimp SEMANCHIK, P*; BERGEY, L; LABAR, J; RITCHIE, L; HORVATH, T; Centenary University; Centenary University; Centenary University; Centenary University; Centenary University pier.semanchik@centenaryuniversity.edu

The presence of parasites in four species of Palaemon grass shrimp were investigated from four collections sites along the New Jersey coast. One of the four species, Palaemon macrodactylus, is an invasive species originating from Japan. The goal of this study was to compare parasite load and composition as well as damage to the exoskeleton between the native species and the nonnative species. Water samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of ammonia, nitrates, orthophosphate, coliform bacteria, temperature, salinity, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids to determine if there is a correlation between parasite load and water quality. Data analysis showed the invasive species had significantly less parasites and damage to the exoskeleton when compared to the native conspecifics. This could lead to a competitive advantage and an increase in the invasive population numbers.