Host-parasite interactions in the European shore crab Carcinus maenas and their implications for the invasion success of this introduced species

In the invasive crab Carcinus maenas, parasite loss during
its introduction was previously suggested as a main reason for
invasion success. This hypothesis was examined by analysing parasite
impacts on individual fitness. However, I found little support for it.
Apart from the effect of parasitic castrators the crabs were mostly
unaffected by the more common helminth parasites. A major regulatory
role of parasites in the home range or parasite release during the
invasion are therefore unlikely.