CCPO Seminar on Infections in Blue Crabs

February 22, 2012

Jeff Shields of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will discuss his study of dinoglagellate infection in blue crabs at a seminar of Old Dominion University's Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography on Monday, Feb. 27.

The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Room 3200 of Innovation Research Park Building 1 at 4111 Monarch Way. A reception with refreshment begins at 3 p.m.

Shields is an expert in the epidemiology and pathology of microbial and protozoal infections in crustaceans, such as blue crabs. His seminar will describe results from a study that he is doing on the effects of a parasitic dinoflagellate on blue crabs, which is a commerically important species in Chesapeake Bay.

His research focuses on the combined effects of over fishing and reduced water quality in promoting spread of the dinoflagellate infection in blue crabs.