Abstract

Rod-shaped virus particles and related inclusion bodies were observed in cells of adult pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum), from the Gulf of Mexico near Cedar Key, Florida, that were experimentally exposed to the poly-chlorinated byphenyl (PCB), Aroclor 1254. This report describes these particles and demonstrates their similarity to non-inclusion viruses and to nuclear-polyhedrosis viruses of the Baculovirus group previously described only from insects and mites. A rod-shaped, free and occluded virus was observed by electron-micrscopy. This is the first report of marine crustacea being potential host for baculoviruses.