Jennifer O. Reynolds
Info
Kronborgia pugettensis Shinn & Christensen, 1985
The endoparasitic flatworm Kronbergia pugettensis attacks the shrimp Heptacarpus kincaidi and Heptacarpus stylus. The worm lives in the shrimp's body, eventually becoming much larger than the host and filling much of the space within. Once the parasite matures, it erupts through the shrimp's anus, leaving the host to die.
Like other members of the genus, Kronborgia pugettensis is unisexual, but only females have been found so far. The life cycle of Kronborgia pugettensis is similar to that of other Kronborgia species. Once fully grown, the female emerges from the host, secretes a tubular cocoon and deposits her egg capsules inside. Embryogenesis takes about 4 months. A free-swimming larva locates the new host, attaches itself to its exterior, and secretes a cyst around itself. It then penetrates the exoskeleton.
Kronborgia pugettensis differs from other members of the genus by the shape of the cocoon, the type of host and the geographical distribution. This is the second fecampiid species described in North America. However, it is known from cocoons that several undescribed species exist there.
Genus Kronbergia - Direct children (5) according WoRMS:
Kronborgia amphipodicola Christensen & Kanneworff, 1964
Kronborgia caridicola Kanneworff & Christensen, 1966
Kronborgia isopodicola Blair & Williams, 1987
Kronborgia pugettensis Shinn & Christensen, 1985
Kronborgia spiralis (Baylis, 1949)
The endoparasitic flatworm Kronbergia pugettensis attacks the shrimp Heptacarpus kincaidi and Heptacarpus stylus. The worm lives in the shrimp's body, eventually becoming much larger than the host and filling much of the space within. Once the parasite matures, it erupts through the shrimp's anus, leaving the host to die.
Like other members of the genus, Kronborgia pugettensis is unisexual, but only females have been found so far. The life cycle of Kronborgia pugettensis is similar to that of other Kronborgia species. Once fully grown, the female emerges from the host, secretes a tubular cocoon and deposits her egg capsules inside. Embryogenesis takes about 4 months. A free-swimming larva locates the new host, attaches itself to its exterior, and secretes a cyst around itself. It then penetrates the exoskeleton.
Kronborgia pugettensis differs from other members of the genus by the shape of the cocoon, the type of host and the geographical distribution. This is the second fecampiid species described in North America. However, it is known from cocoons that several undescribed species exist there.
Genus Kronbergia - Direct children (5) according WoRMS:
Kronborgia amphipodicola Christensen & Kanneworff, 1964
Kronborgia caridicola Kanneworff & Christensen, 1966
Kronborgia isopodicola Blair & Williams, 1987
Kronborgia pugettensis Shinn & Christensen, 1985
Kronborgia spiralis (Baylis, 1949)
