Diseases of the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii: A review for a growing industry

Abstract

The giant river prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is a major focus of aquaculture in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the globe. Over the last 30 years, culture of M. rosenbergii has increased exponentially as demand has risen both for domestic consumption and for international export trade. As with many aquaculture species increases in production have been accompanied by the emergence of diseases affecting yield, profit and trading potential. Disease-causing agents include pathogens infecting other crustaceans, such as Decapod Iridescent Virus (DIV1), as well as pathogens only known from M. rosenbergii such as White Tail Disease caused by Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV). Here, we review the pathogenic agents associated with the culture of M. rosenbergii since commercial culture began in earnest during the 1970s. Particular emphasis is given to pathogens first identified in other aquaculture host species, but which have subsequently been shown to infect and cause disease in M. rosenbergii. As polyculture of M. rosenbergii with other aquaculture species is common practice, including culture with other decapods, crabs and fish, increased pathogen transfer among these farmed species may occur as M. rosenbergii aquaculture increases in the future.