scholarly journals Simultaneous detection of invasive signal crayfish, endangered white-clawed crayfish and the crayfish plague pathogen using environmental DNA

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Victoria Robinson ◽  
Tamsyn M. Uren Webster ◽  
Joanne Cable ◽  
Joanna James ◽  
Sofia Consuegra
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Native Crayfish

ABSTRACTAquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are important vectors for the introduction of novel pathogens which can, in turn, become drivers of rapid ecological and evolutionary change, compromising the persistence of native species. Conservation strategies rely on accurate information regarding presence and distribution of AIS and their associated pathogens to prevent or mitigate negative impacts, such as predation, displacement or competition with native species for food, space or breeding sites. Environmental DNA is increasingly used as a conservation tool for early detection and monitoring of AIS. We used a novel eDNA high-resolution melt curve (HRM) approach to simultaneously detect the UK endangered native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), the highly invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and their dominant pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, (causative agent of crayfish plague). We validated the approach with laboratory and field samples in areas with known presence or absence of both crayfish species as well as the pathogen, prior to the monitoring of areas where their presence was unknown. We identified the presence of infected signal crayfish further upstream than previously detected in an area where previous intensive eradication attempts had taken place, and the coexistence of both species in plague free catchments. We also detected the endangered native crayfish in an area where trapping had failed. With this method, we could estimate the distribution of native and invasive crayfish and their infection status in a rapid, cost effective and highly sensitive way, providing essential information for the development of conservation strategies in catchments with populations of endangered native crayfish.

scholarly journals Simultaneous detection of native and invasive crayfish and Aphanomyces astaci from environmental DNA samples in a wide range of habitats in Central Europe

NeoBiota ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 1-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes C. Rusch ◽  
Michaela Mojžišová ◽  
David A. Strand ◽  
Jitka Svobodová ◽  
Trude Vrålstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
Crayfish Species

Crayfish of North American origin are amongst the most prominent high-impact invasive invertebrates in European freshwaters. They contribute to the decline of European native crayfish species by spreading the pathogen causing crayfish plague, the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci. In this study we validated the specificity of four quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, either published or newly developed, usable for environmental DNA (eDNA) screening for widely distributed native and non-native crayfish present in Central Europe: Astacus astacus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Faxonius limosus and Procambarus virginalis. We then conducted an eDNA monitoring survey of these crayfish as well as the crayfish plague pathogen in a wide variety of habitat types representative for Central and Western Europe. The specificity of qPCR assays was validated against an extensive collection of crayfish DNA isolates, containing most crayfish species documented from European waters. The three assays developed in this study were sufficiently species-specific, but the published assay for F. limosus displayed a weak cross-reaction with multiple other crayfish species of the family Cambaridae. In the field study, we infrequently detected eDNA of A. astaci together with the three non-native crayfish species under examination. We never detected eDNA from A. astaci together with native crayfish, but in a few locations eDNA from both native and non-native crayfish was captured, due either to passive transport of eDNA from upstream populations or co-existence in the absence of infected crayfish carriers of A. astaci. In the study, we evaluated a robust, easy-to-use and low-cost version of the eDNA sampling equipment, based mostly on items readily available in garden stores and hobby markets, for filtering relatively large (~5 l) water samples. It performed just as well as the far more expensive equipment industrially designed for eDNA water sampling, thus opening the possibility of collecting suitable eDNA samples to a wide range of stakeholders. Overall, our study confirms that eDNA-based screening for crayfish and their associated pathogen is a feasible alternative to traditional monitoring.

scholarly journals Crayfish plague affects juvenile survival and adult behaviour of invasive signal crayfish

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. 706-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Rhidian Thomas ◽  
Chloe V. Robinson ◽  
Agata Mrugała ◽  
Amy R. Ellison ◽  
Emily Matthews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Native Species ◽  
North American Species ◽  
Juvenile Survival ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
The North ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Oomycete Pathogen ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe spread of invasive, non-native species is a key threat to biodiversity. Parasites can play a significant role by influencing their invasive host's survival or behaviour, which can subsequently alter invasion dynamics. The North American signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is a known carrier of Aphanomyces astaci, an oomycete pathogen that is the causative agent of crayfish plague and fatal to European crayfish species, whereas North American species are considered to be largely resistant. There is some evidence, however, that North American species, can also succumb to crayfish plague, though how A. astaci affects such ‘reservoir hosts’ is rarely considered. Here, we tested the impact of A. astaci infection on signal crayfish, by assessing juvenile survival and adult behaviour following exposure to A. astaci zoospores. Juvenile signal crayfish suffered high mortality 4-weeks post-hatching, but not as older juveniles. Furthermore, adult signal crayfish with high-infection levels displayed altered behaviours, being less likely to leave the water, explore terrestrial areas and exhibit escape responses. Overall, we reveal that A. astaci infection affects signal crayfish to a much greater extent than previously considered, which may not only have direct consequences for invasions, but could substantially affect commercially harvested signal crayfish stocks worldwide.

Relaxed attitude towards spreading of alien crayfish species affects protection of native crayfish species: case studies and lessons learnt from a Fennoscandian viewpoint

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Japo Jussila ◽  
Lennart Edsman
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Pacifastacus Leniusculus ◽  
Astacus Astacus ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Noble Crayfish ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
Chronic Carrier ◽  
Highly Virulent ◽  
Crayfish Species

Abstract The spreading of the alien signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is posing an ongoing threat to native European crayfish species in Fennoscandia, like the native noble crayfish (Astacus astacus). The signal crayfish is commonly a chronic carrier of the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci), thus, in addition to being more competitive than noble crayfish, it also has a competitive advantage in this disease over the noble crayfish. The challenges rising from the introduction of the alien signal crayfish to Sweden, Finland and finally also Norway, are similar in nature. The licensed and unlicensed spreading of this species also has a similar history in these countries. In this paper we describe some of the patters of the spread of alien signal crayfish and highlight the detrimental nature of an alien crayfish, accompanied by a highly virulent disease, to native Fennoscandian crayfish and also to native Fennoscandian ecosystems. A halt to the further spreading of alien signal crayfish in Fennoscandia is the only means to ensure successful conservation outcomes for the noble crayfish.

A.L.I.E.N. databases: addressing the lack in establishment of non-natives databases

Crustaceana ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 1192-1199 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. James ◽  
J. James ◽  
F. Slater ◽  
J. James ◽  
F. Slater ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Decapod Crustaceans ◽  
Ecological Problems ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
National Databases

Among the principal threats to the conservation of global biodiversity are biological invasions. To monitor their range expansion and develop control programmes, comprehensive, national species’ databases need to be created and maintained. This is particularly important for invaders that are known to cause broad and significant ecological problems, such as decapod crustaceans, in particular crayfish. Initiatives such as the U.K. National Biodiversity Network have recognised the need to promote data exchange and are a valuable resource for collating individual survey records. However, for these data to be used efficiently for research and/or management purposes they need to be combined into national databases. This is challenging and time consuming as individual data-sets are typically in different formats. Here, we compile 25 459 non-native and native crayfish records (reported between 1870 and 2013) from England, Wales and Scotland into one database, CrayBase. Such national databases will help facilitate risk assessments for non-native species and promote conservation strategies for indigenous species by identifying populations under the greatest threat from invasives.

scholarly journals The prevalence of Aphanomyces astaci in invasive signal crayfish from the UK and implications for native crayfish conservation

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. JAMES ◽  
S. NUTBEAM-TUFFS ◽  
J. CABLE ◽  
A. MRUGAŁA ◽  
N. VIÑUELA-RODRIGUEZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Average Rate ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Virulent Strains ◽  
Pathogen Prevalence ◽  
Crayfish Population ◽  
To Come ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Native Crayfish

SUMMARYThe crayfish plague agent, Aphanomyces astaci, has spread throughout Europe, causing a significant decline in native European crayfish. The introduction and dissemination of this pathogen is attributed to the spread of invasive North American crayfish, which can act as carriers for A. astaci. As native European crayfish often succumb to infection with A. astaci, determining the prevalence of this pathogen in non-native crayfish is vital to prioritize native crayfish populations for managed translocation. In the current study, 23 populations of invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) from the UK were tested for A. astaci presence using quantitative PCR. Altogether, 13 out of 23 (56·5%) populations were found to be infected, and pathogen prevalence within infected sites varied from 3 to 80%. Microsatellite pathogen genotyping revealed that at least one UK signal crayfish population was infected with the A. astaci genotype group B, known to include virulent strains. Based on recent crayfish distribution records and the average rate of signal crayfish population dispersal, we identified one native white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) population predicted to come into contact with infected signal crayfish within 5 years. This population should be considered as a priority for translocation.

scholarly journals Simultaneous detection of invasive signal crayfish, endangered white-clawed crayfish and the crayfish plague pathogen using environmental DNA

2018 ◽  
Vol 222 ◽  
pp. 241-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Victoria Robinson ◽  
Tamsyn M. Uren Webster ◽  
Joanne Cable ◽  
Joanna James ◽  
Sofia Consuegra
Keyword(s):  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Signal Crayfish

scholarly journals MiFish metabarcoding: a high-throughput approach for simultaneous detection of multiple fish species from environmental DNA and other samples

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 939-970
Author(s):  
Masaki Miya ◽  
Ryo O. Gotoh ◽  
Tetsuya Sado
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Massively Parallel Sequencing ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
12S Rrna ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Biodiversity Monitoring

Abstract We reviewed the current methodology and practices of the DNA metabarcoding approach using a universal PCR primer pair MiFish, which co-amplifies a short fragment of fish DNA (approx. 170 bp from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene) across a wide variety of taxa. This method has mostly been applied to biodiversity monitoring using environmental DNA (eDNA) shed from fish and, coupled with next-generation sequencing technologies, has enabled massively parallel sequencing of several hundred eDNA samples simultaneously. Since the publication of its technical outline in 2015, this method has been widely used in various aquatic environments in and around the six continents, and MiFish primers have demonstrably outperformed other competing primers. Here, we outline the technical progress in this method over the last 5 years and highlight some case studies on marine, freshwater, and estuarine fish communities. Additionally, we discuss various applications of MiFish metabarcoding to non-fish organisms, single-species detection systems, quantitative biodiversity monitoring, and bulk DNA samples other than eDNA. By recognizing the MiFish eDNA metabarcoding strengths and limitations, we argue that this method is useful for ecosystem conservation strategies and the sustainable use of fishery resources in “ecosystem-based fishery management” through continuous biodiversity monitoring at multiple sites.

The spatial distribution of Aphanomyces astaci genotypes across Europe: introducing the first data from Ukraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ungureanu ◽  
Michaela MojŽiŠovÁ ◽  
Michiel Tangerman ◽  
Mihaela C. Ion ◽  
Lucian Parvulescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Pacifastacus Leniusculus ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Western Palaearctic ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Mass Mortalities

Abstract Aphanomyces astaci is the causative agent of crayfish plague, a disease responsible for numerous mass mortalities of native crayfish across Europe. In this study, we aim to extend knowledge about the A. astaci distribution in Eastern Europe, with specific focus on the River Dnieper (Ukraine), and summarize presently available information about the distribution of genotypes of this pathogen across the Western Palaearctic. We compiled published records about genotype groups of A. astaci, assembled them to a comprehensive map, and added the newly obtained results from Ukraine. The native narrow-clawed crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus was sampled from the river Dnieper in Svydivok and Kiev, ca 170 km apart, and screened for the pathogen presence in soft cuticles by quantitative PCR. We confirmed infections by A. astaci at both sites, with prevalence exceeding 30% and low to medium agent levels in infected crayfish. Pathogen genotyping confirmed the presence of the A. astaci haplogroup B, associated with the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus but also known from some chronically infected narrowclawed crayfish from Turkey and Moldova. Our results support the notion that latent A. astaci infections among narrow-clawed crayfish populations may be widespread in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

scholarly journals A New Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Avian Bornaviruses

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1358
Author(s):  
Brigitte Sigrist ◽  
Jessica Geers ◽  
Sarah Albini ◽  
Dennis Rubbenstroth ◽  
Nina Wolfrum
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Virus Species ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Avian bornaviruses were first described in 2008 as the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots and their relatives (Psittaciformes). To date, 15 genetically highly diverse avian bornaviruses covering at least five viral species have been discovered in different bird orders. Currently, the primary diagnostic tool is the detection of viral RNA by conventional or real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). One of the drawbacks of this is the usage of either specific assays, allowing the detection of one particular virus, or of assays with a broad detection spectrum, which, however, do not allow for the simultaneous specification of the detected virus. To facilitate the simultaneous detection and specification of avian bornaviruses, a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay was developed. Whole-genome sequences of various bornaviruses were aligned. Primers were designed to recognize conserved regions within the overlapping X/P gene and probes were selected to detect virus species-specific regions within the target region. The optimization of the assay resulted in the sensitive and specific detection of bornaviruses of Psittaciformes, Passeriformes, and aquatic birds. Finally, the new rRT-PCR was successfully employed to detect avian bornaviruses in field samples from various avian species. This assay will serve as powerful tool in epidemiological studies and will improve avian bornavirus detection.

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