Occurrence of pathogenic shrimp viruses in selected wild crab species of Sunderban, India

Abstract

Diseases in brackishwater aquaculture systems are the major hindrance to the growth of shrimp industry in India, with white spot viral disease being the most devastating one causing crop failure leading to heavy economic losses. In this study, wild crab species viz., Uca spp. and Sesarma spp., which are frequent dwellers surrounding the shrimp culture ponds, were screened for the presence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV). Out of total 66 samples screened, presence of WSSV and IHHNV was detected in 18.2 and 1.5% of the samples, respectively. Results of the present study indicate that wild crab species found in and around shrimp ponds could act as carriers of shrimp pathogenic viruses and their effective control is essential for prevention of shrimp viral diseases.