The Invasive Blue Crab: Implications for Fisheries, Aquaculture and One Health Perspective

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 502

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Italy
Interests: aquaculture; fish biology; aquatic organisms pathology; antibiotic resistance; conservation of biodiversity in aquatic environments; alien invasive species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Italy
Interests: genetics and genomics; genetic resistance to animal diseases; fish diseases; antibiotic resistance; molecular characterization of bacteria; invasive alien species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Interests: aquaculture; fish biology; aquatic organism pathology; ecotoxicology; conservation of biodiversity in aquatic environments; antibiotic resistance; trace elements; emerging contaminants; microplastics; invasive alien species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The invasive blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, presents significant challenges and opportunities in various fields. This Special Issue seeks to gather extensive research on the diverse impacts of this species. Major areas of interest include the effects on fisheries and aquaculture, where the blue crab’s predatory and competitive behaviors disrupt local ecosystems and economic activities. Additionally, we aim to explore the environmental impacts on biodiversity, habitat structures, and ecosystem services. Understanding the disease dynamics and potential threats posed to native species by the blue crab through pathological studies is another key focus. Genetic research will provide insights into the species’ adaptive mechanisms and spread, while studies on contaminants, especially emerging pollutants, will shed light on bioaccumulation risks in invaded areas. This Special Issue aspires to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of the blue crab, guiding management strategies to mitigate its negative effects and exploit potential benefits through a One Health approach.

We invite original contributions that focus on the following topics:

  • Effects on fisheries and aquaculture;
  • Environmental impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems;
  • Pathological studies and disease dynamics;
  • Genetic insights into adaptation and spread;
  • Contaminants and bioaccumulation risks;
  • Integrated management strategies for mitigation and benefits.

This Special Issue aims to deepen our knowledge of the blue crab’s impact and inform effective management practices.

Dr. Giuseppe Esposito
Dr. Silvia Colussi
Dr. Paolo Pastorino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Callinectes sapidus
  • animal health
  • invasive alien species
  • biodiversity
  • habitat structures
  • ecosystem services
  • animal genetics
  • environmental pollution

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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