Microbial community dynamics in a larval aquaculture system of the tropical rock lobster, Panulirus ornatus

Abstract

Commercial scale rearing of the tropical rock lobster (Panulirus ornatus) has been unsuccessful to date, with attempts characterised by periodic mass mortalities of early stage hatchery-reared larvae. Here, we investigate the microbiological and histopathological factors affecting early stage phyllosomas. Histopathology identified microbial infestation of phyllosomas, including proliferation of bacteria in the hepatopancreas and heavy external fouling of appendages and cuticle with filamentous bacteria and sessile protozoa. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed fouling by filamentous bacteria of at least two morphological types and also fouling by rod-shaped bacteria, indicative of a divers..