Collection techniques for the analyses of pathogens in crustaceans

Outbreaks of diseases have been reported from a number of ecologically or commercially important crustaceans in tropical, temperature, and boreal waters. The etiology of a disease is often unknown prior to these outbreaks and the effect of the pathogen on the host population is poorly understood. Various techniques can be used to collect, identify, and monitor host populations for pathogens. These include classical methods, such as visual or histological assessment, to more refined techniques, such as simple and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. The strengths and weaknesses of the different methods are presented as well as some general guidelines for managing data associated with disease surveys in conjunction with field collections.