We are not certain which lesions may be eliminated via moulting, but the relatively minor damage seen with grade 1 and probably grade 2 lesions suggest that it is likely that they can probably heal in this manner. Grade 3 and 4 lesions often had inflammatory adhesions and, thus, it might be difficult for crabs to eliminate such lesions; although this would be more likely with grade 3 lesions. It is highly unlikely that crabs with PRSD would ever survive a moult. We held crabs with PRSD in the laboratory but did not observe any moulting. These crabs were also weaker than normal crabs and had poor survival rates compared with other crabs. Most importantly, the amount of adhesions and fibrosis associated with PRSD lesions would make it highly unlikely that they could ever moult. Adhesions are known to prevent crustaceans from moulting (Fisher 1988; Sindermann 1989).