Shell disease

[helipilot]

Are all species of mantis susceptible of shell disease? I know we hear more about it with O. scyllarus, what about the other species? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gonodactylus]

In my experience (for what it is worth), shell disease occurs primarily in gonodactyloids. It is common in large O. scyllarus and G. ternatensis with isolated incidences in other large gonodactylids.

There is a different type of exoskeletal disease that is extremely common in Hemisquilla and I have seen another type of degenerative cuticular problem in Lysiosquillina.

As a general rule, the larger and older the stomatopod, the more likely it is to develop problems. Also wounds are often infected and develop problems, but this is not always "shell disease".

Roy

 

[helipilot]

Thank you Dr. Roy. So many questions, so much to learn.