Invasive crayfish: activity patterns of Procambarus clarkii in the rice fields of the Lower Guadalquivir (Spain)

Abstract The hunting behavior, snail size selection, and time-activity patterns of non-breeding Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis) were studied in Guyana rice fields. Kites spent 62% of the photoperiod perching, 19% foraging, 13% in maintenance activities, and 6% flying. As the day progressed, the percentage of daylight hours spent perching increased significantly, while foraging decreased significantly. Kites successfully captured and ingested Pomacea snails in 78% of the foraging bouts observed. The mode of hunting was evenly split between coursing (50.7%) and still-hunting (49.3%). Searching and returning times were related to time of day, as significantly more coursing hunts and still-hunts occurred in mornings and late afternoons, respectively. Prey handling time was the most time-consuming component of a foraging bout. Time spent searching for prey, returning, or handling prey was not related to snail size. The size distribution of captured snails differed significantly from that of available snails; kites selected more medium snails and fewer small snails and took large snails in equal frequency to that at which large snails were available. Kites captured the same-sized snails when coursing as when still-hunting. As rice grew, kite utilization of rice fields declined, and the frequency of still-hunting decreased while course-hunting attempts increased. The daily caloric intake of kites was estimated to be 104.2 kcal, the daily energy expenditure 85.7 kcal. Results are discussed in relation to consumer choices of specialists. The most important decision a foraging Snail Kite may make is what patch to search in and how long to search before abandoning patches.

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Presence of Paragonimus species within secondary crustacean hosts in Bogotá, Colombia

Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias ◽

10.17533/udea.rccp.v32n2a08 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 150-157

Author(s):

Gillian Phillips ◽

David M Hudson ◽

Jenny J Chaparro-Gutiérrez

Keyword(s):

El Niño ◽

Total Population ◽

Procambarus Clarkii ◽

El Nino ◽

Southern Oscillation ◽

Human Populations ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Invasive Crayfish ◽

The Difference ◽

Trematode Parasites

Background: Paragonimus spp. are trematode parasites that infect human populations worldwide. It is believed that infection rates within Asia reach five to ten percent of the total population. Three of the largest areas of possible infection are Asia, Central and South America as well as Africa, where the total population at risk is estimated to be 293 million people. Humans are infected via ingestion of raw or undercooked decapod crustaceans. Objective: To identify the presence of Paragonimus spp. in crabs from Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: The native crab Neostrengeria macropa and the aquatic invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Bogotá, Colombia, were collected from local markets, pet stores and waterways and dissected to assess the presence of Paragonimus spp. Results: The native crab species, N. macropa (n=29) had an infection prevalence of 17.2%, while the invasive crayfish species, P. clarkii (n=22), had a prevalence of 36.4% combined from both field captured animals and purchased samples. Conclusion: Although the estimated prevalence is lower compared to previous studies in other cities of Colombia, Paragonimus represent a risk to human health. Several environmental factors may contribute to the difference in prevalence including collecting season, rainfall, temperature, altitude and the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Keywords: crabs, invasive species, Neostrengeria macropa, Procambarus clarkii, trematode. ResumenAntecedentes: Los Paragonimus spp. constituyen un grupo de parásitos tremátodos que infectan a humanos en todo el mundo. Se considera que entre 5 y 10% de la población humana de Asia está infectada. Las áreas con mayor posibilidad de infección son Asia, Centro y Sur América, así como África. Se estima que 293 millones de personas están en riesgo de infección. Los humanos se pueden infectar al consumir crustáceos decápodos crudos. Objetivo: Identificar la presencia de Paragonimus spp. en crustáceos en Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Una muestra de cangrejos nativos Neostrengeria macropa y de decápodos invasores Procambarus clarkii fue colectada tanto en mercados locales de Bogotá, como en tiendas de mascotas, ríos, y quebradas. Posteriromente fueron diseccionados para detectar la presencia de Paragonimus spp. Resultados: La prevalencia de la infección en N. macropa (n=29) fue de 17,2%, y en la especie invasora, P. clarkii (n=22), fue de 36,4% (porcentaje combinado de los animales colectados en el campo y los comprados en tiendas). Conclusión: Aunque la prevalencia en este estudio fue más baja que la de otras investigaciones relacionadas, se considera que existe riesgo para la salud humana. Es probable que algunos factores medio ambientales hayan contribuido a la diferencia, incluyendo: temporada de colecta, nivel de lluvias, temperatura, altura, y el fenómeno El Niño. Palabras claves: cangrejos, especie invasora, Neostrengeria macropa, Procambarus clarkii, tremátodo. ResumoAntecedentes: Paragonimus spp. são trematódeos parasitas que infectam populações humanas ao redor do mundo. Acredita-se que as taxas de infecção na Ásia atingem de 5 a 10% da população. As três maiores áreas de infecção se localizam na Ásia, Américas do Sul e Central e África, onde a população total em risco é estimada em 293 milhões de pessoas. Os humanos são infectados pela ingestão de crustáceos decápodes crus ou mal cozidos. Objetivo: Identificar a presença de Paragonimus spp. em Bogotá, Colômbia. Métodos: Indivíduos de caranguejo nativo Neostrengeria macropa e lagostim aquático invasivo Procambarus clarkii foram coletados em mercados locais, lojas de animais de estimação e cursos de água em Bogotá (Colômbia) e posteriormente dissecados para verificação da presença de Paragonimus spp. Resultados: A espécie de caranguejo nativa N. macropa (n=29) apresentou prevalência de infecção de 17,2%, enquanto a espécie de lagostim invasivo, P. clarkii (n=22), apresentou prevalência de 36,4%, quando combinados os animais capturados em campo e os animais comprados. Conclusão: Embora a prevalência estimada neste estudo foi menor do que a de pesquisas anteriores realizadas em outras cidades da Colômbia, existe um risco para a saúde humana. Há inúmeros fatores ambientais que podem contribuir para a diferença de prevalência, dentre eles: a estação em que a coleta foi realizada, pouca precipitação, temperatura, altitude e a Oscilação Sul-El Niño.Palabras-chave: caranguejos, espécies invasivas, Neostrengeria macropa, Procambarus clarkii, trematódeos.

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Movement patterns of an invasive crayfish,Procambarus clarkii, in a temporary stream of southern Portugal

Ethology Ecology & Evolution ◽

10.1080/08927014.2002.9522739 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 183-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

F. Gherardi ◽

E. Tricarico ◽

M. Ilhéu

Keyword(s):

Procambarus Clarkii ◽

Movement Patterns ◽

Temporary Stream ◽

Invasive Crayfish ◽

Southern Portugal

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Environmental factors influencing the distribution and abundance of the introduced signal crayfish in the north of Iberian Peninsula

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf16020 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 68 (5) ◽

pp. 900 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

I. Vedia ◽

D. Galicia ◽

E. Baquero ◽

J. Oscoz ◽

R. Miranda

Keyword(s):

Aquatic Ecosystems ◽

Procambarus Clarkii ◽

Lower Proportion ◽

Native Fish ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Northern Spain ◽

Signal Crayfish ◽

The North ◽

Organic Debris ◽

Invasive Crayfish

The identification of habitat requirements of invasive species is essential to evaluate their spread and to assess the vulnerability of recipient ecosystems. We studied the distribution and abundance of the invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in 43 sites in northern Spain and analysed the relationships with several abiotic and biotic parameters of the aquatic ecosystems. Our results indicated that the abundance of signal crayfish was positively associated with vegetation cover and negatively associated with boulders. Also, its abundance was positively correlated with water temperature, organic matter, cations (e.g. sodium), anions (e.g. sulfates) and abundance of some native fish species (Parachondrostoma miegii and Luciobarbus graellsii). We concluded that the habitat of signal crayfish is among salmonid stretches (headwaters) with cold waters and low proportion of organic debris, and among cyprinid stretches (low waters) with warmer waters which it inhabits with another invasive crayfish, the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Our analysis indicated that the presence of signal crayfish is limited in the uppermost stretches by lower water temperatures and a lower proportion of organic debris. The existence of a natural environmental limiting factor in upstream reaches facilitates the conservation of aquatic ecosystems and native fauna.

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Mycoflora on the cuticle of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii

Fundamental and Applied Limnology / Archiv für Hydrobiologie ◽

10.1127/1863-9135/2012/0175 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 180 (1) ◽

pp. 77-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ambrosius Josef Martin Dörr ◽

Marinella Rodolfi ◽

Antonia Concetta Elia ◽

Massimiliano Scalici ◽

Laura Garzoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Procambarus Clarkii ◽

Invasive Crayfish

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First Detection of the Crayfish Plague Pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in Costa Rica: European Mistakes Should Not Be Repeated

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.3389/fevo.2021.623814 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Martín-Torrijos ◽

Angel Jose Correa-Villalona ◽

Juan Carlos Azofeifa-Solano ◽

Fresia Villalobos-Rojas ◽

Ingo S. Wehrtmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Procambarus Clarkii ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Future Research ◽

Warning Sign ◽

Aphanomyces Astaci ◽

Molecular Approaches ◽

Research Activities ◽

Invasive Crayfish ◽

Crayfish Species

The crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci is one of the main factors responsible for the decline in European and Asian native crayfish species. This pathogen was transported to these regions through its natural carriers, North American crayfish species, which were introduced during the last century. Since then, the carrier species and the pathogen have spread worldwide due to globalization and the highly invasive nature of these species. In Europe, five carrier species have been categorized as high-risk as they are responsible for the loss of provisioning services, which endangers freshwater ecosystems. The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, in particular, is currently one of the most concerning species as its spread threatens crayfish biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In this study, we describe the first detection of A. astaci in an introduced population of P. clarkii in Central America, specifically in Costa Rica. Using molecular approaches, we analyzed 48 crayfish samples collected from Reservoir Cachí and detected the presence of A. astaci in four of these samples. The introduction of P. clarkii and the incorrect management of the species (related to its fishery and the commercialization of live specimens) over the past decades in Europe are mistakes that should not be repeated elsewhere. The detection of the pathogen is a warning sign about the dangerous impact that the introduction of this invasive crayfish may have, not only as a carrier of an emerging disease but also as a direct risk to the invaded ecosystems. Our results may serve to (1) assess current and future consequences, and (2) direct future research activities, such as determining the potential impacts of A. astaci on native decapod species, or on other introduced crayfish species that are used for aquaculture purposes, such as Cherax quadricarinatus.

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