Effects of temperature change and Hematodinium sp. infection (Bitter Crab Disease) on Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi)

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game considers bitter crab disease, caused by a parasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium, to be the ‘principle threat’ to Alaskan Tanner crab stocks. We postulate that increased temperature in the North Pacific will physiologically stress Tanner crabs and also lead to increased occurrence of Hematodinium infections, either of which may lead to increased mortality in Tanner crabs. We propose to hold healthy and Hematodinium-infected Tanner crabs under different temperature regimes, testing for genetic responses to infection and temperature. Data were collected from Tanner Crab specimens provided from Alaska State Department of Fish and Game fall survey 2017. Hemolymph samples were collected for blood smears and preservation in ethanol. Temperature experiments were then conducted and corresponding datapoints were collected.