Shell disease in Mantis shrimp & lobsters?

[Jacob D]

Dr. Roy,

It sounds like the lobster population on the east coast is potentially in danger due to the large number of lobsters with shell disease; I'm curious if this is the same shell disease that is seen in mantis shrimp and if there is a high instance of shell disease in mantis shrimp in the same waters (if you know).

 

[Gonodactylus]

I really don't know. From what I've read, it is probably not the same pathogen. The shell disease that is common in Hemisquilla is primarily caused by a fungus, not a bacteria - although secondary infections are caused by all sorts of things.

The only stomatopod common in the same waters as Homarus is Squilla empusa. I have never seen a report of shell disease in this species.

Roy