A novel viral infection in a Captive Colony of pelagic red crabs (Pleuroncodes planipes) from California

Captive, pelagic red crabs (Pleuroncodes planipes) had shortened lifespans and cutaneous black spots. Histologically, epidermal and mesenchymal cells had 3–5 µm diameter intranuclear inclusions, necrosis, vacuolation, and/or hyperplasia. The remaining organs were histologically unremarkable. Ultrastructurally, nuclei contained rod-shaped, 70-100nmx250-350 nm virions with a double membrane. PCR on 32 animals was negative for WSSV, and suggestive of a novel virus. The genomic sequence of the virus could not be retrieved due to the low amount of DNA obtained from the paraffin embedded tissue. This is consistent with a novel viral infection, and is the first description of a viral disease in pelagic red crabs.