Abstract

The spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, has been affected by a highly pathogenic virus known as Panulirus argus Virus 1 (PaV1). PaV1 appears to be widespread throughout the Caribbean region. Macroscopic signs of PaV1 infection are milky hemolymph that lacks the ability to clot, reddish carapace and lethargy. Despite the important information obtained through experimental infections, little is known about the physiological responses in naturally infected P. argus. The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological and immunological parameters in Panulirus argus lobsters naturally infected with PaV1, and compare multidimensional analysis; principal component (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) to determine correlation between hematological variables and severity of PaV1 infection, which was determined by histopathology and PCR. Twenty juvenile spiny lobsters P. argus that showed high morbidity of PaV1 were captured by scuba in the reef lagoon of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México. Additionally, 25 healthy lobsters without clinical signs of PaV1 infection were collected from the same area and used as controls. Alterations of total hemo-cytes counts, low values of plasmatic protein and total phenoloxidase activity in plasma, coupled with high levels of cholesterol and acylglycerols were among the most reliable effects observed in the infected lobsters indicating metabol-ic wasting and presumed immune suppression. Understanding the process of infection is extremely important to know the development of infection in natural conditions. RDA was a more integrated analysis method. Multidimensional analysis showed integrative effect on physiological and immunological condition during PaV1 process in naturally infected lobsters.