Sacculina carcini

Thompson, 1836

Description:
Body compact, up to 26 mm. Cream when young, later brown. Mantle aperture raised and slightly to the left.

Habitat:
Parasitic on Carcinus maenas and Liocarcinus holsatus and a wide range of other Portunidae and Pirimelidae. Rarely found on Necora puber or Liocarcinus depurator . Infection rate varies with host species, up to 50% or more; multiple infections (up to five) random. Infected specimens of Carcinus maenas migrate to deeper water.

Distribution:
Common in the North Sea.

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