To wrap up National Invasive Species Week – let's explore one of our favorite invaders: Loxothylacus panopaei, the body-snatching parasite. #NISAW #ZombieCrabs (1/6)
The parasite, which is technically a barnacle, takes over a crab and turns it into a #ZombieCrab. Loxo infects and assumes control over a host crab, controlling major functions such as molting and reproduction as well as compromising the crab’s immune system. (2/6)
Loxo can take over at least 9 different kinds of crabs – including the white-fingered mud crabs in the Chesapeake Bay! #NISAW #ZombieCrabs (3/6)
We track the parasite locally by finding zombie-fied crabs. You can check an update from our volunteer led project here: serc.si.edu/sites/default/… (4/6)
Like many invasions, scientists expect that the parasite was introduced as part of the aquaculture trade. You can read our work on crab infections here: aquaticinvasions.net/2013/AI_2013_3… (5/6)
If you want to help us track invasions – you can volunteer with the #ZombieCrab project or checkout our web-based project #InvaderID by visiting our @the_zooniverse page! zooniverse.org/projects/serc/… 🦀 (6/6)
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