scholarly journals May atyid shrimps act as potential vectors of crayfish plague?

NeoBiota ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 65-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Mrugała ◽  
Miloš Buřič ◽  
Adam Petrusek ◽  
Antonín Kouba
Keyword(s):  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Transmission Experiment ◽  
Shrimp Species ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Freshwater Shrimps ◽  
Successful Infection ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Crayfish Species

The causative agent of crayfish plague, Aphanomyces astaci Schikora, was long considered to be a specialist pathogen whose host range is limited to freshwater crayfish. Recent studies, however, provided evidence that this parasite does not only grow within the tissues of freshwater-inhabiting crabs but can also be successfully transmitted by them to European crayfish species. The potential to act as alternative A. astaci hosts was also indicated for freshwater shrimps. We experimentally tested resistance of two freshwater atyid shrimps: Atyopsis moluccensis (De Haan, 1849) and Atya gabonensis Giebel, 1875. They were infected with the A. astaci strain associated with the globally widespread North American red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), the typical host of the A. astaci genotype group D. As popular ornamental species, both shrimps may get in contact with infected P. clarkii not only in the wild but also in the aquarium trade. We assessed the potential of shrimps to transmit A. astaci to susceptible crayfish by cohabiting A. gabonensis previously exposed to A. astaci zoospores with the European noble crayfish, Astacus astacus (Linnaeus, 1758). In both experiments, the presence of A. astaci infection was analysed with species-specific quantitative PCR. We detected A. astaci in bodies and exuviae of both shrimp species exposed to A. astaci zoospores, however, the intensity of infection differed between the species and analysed samples; it was higher in A. moluccensis and the exuviae of both species. A. astaci was also detected in one A. astacus individual in the transmission experiment. This finding reveals that freshwater shrimps may be able to transmit A. astaci to crayfish hosts; this is particularly important as even a single successful infection contributes to the spread of the disease. Moreover, our results indicate that the tested shrimp species may be capable of resisting A. astaci infection and reducing its intensity through moulting. Although their potential to act as prominent A. astaci vectors requires further research, it should not be ignored as these freshwater animals may then facilitate A. astaci spread to susceptible crayfish species in aquarium and aquaculture facilities as well as in the wild.

scholarly journals Comparative transcriptome analysis of noble crayfish and marbled crayfish immune response to Aphanomyces astaci challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljudevit Luka Boštjančić ◽  
Caterina Francesconi ◽  
Christelle Rutz ◽  
Lucien Hoffbeck ◽  
Laetitia Poidevin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Post Challenge ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Resistant Species ◽  
High Virulence ◽  
Noble Crayfish ◽  
Immune Related Genes ◽  
Marbled Crayfish ◽  
Crayfish Species

Introduction of invasive North American crayfish species and their pathogen Aphanomyces astaci has significantly contributed to the decline of European freshwater crayfish populations. In this study, noble crayfish, a susceptible native European species, and marbled crayfish, an invasive disease-resistant species, were challenged with haplogroup A (low virulence) and haplogroup B (high virulence) strain of A. astaci. Hepatopancreatic tissue was isolated 3 and 21 days post-challenge. Our results revealed strong up-regulation in expression levels of the prophenoloxidase cascade immune-related genes in the haplogroup B challenged noble crayfish 3 days post-challenge. In the marbled crayfish, we observed an up-regulation of immune system relevant genes (DSCAM, AP, ALFs, CTLs and hemocyanin) 3 days post-challenge. This response highlights the marbled crayfish capability of building the immune tolerance. Furthermore, we successfully characterised several novel immune related gene groups in both crayfish species, contributing to our current understanding of crayfish immune related genes landscape.

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

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.

Crayfish chelae usage suggests predominantly ambidextrous habitude

Crustaceana ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra-Florina Lele ◽  
Lucian Pârvulescu
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Specific Pattern ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Decapod Crustaceans ◽  
Biometrical Analysis ◽  
Astacus Leptodactylus ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Austropotamobius Torrentium ◽  
Crayfish Species

Abstract Heterochely is an important feature in some marine decapod crustaceans, but it is seldom investigated in freshwater crayfish. In this study, we applied a biometrical analysis targeting wild populations of three European crayfish species, Astacus leptodactylus, Astacus astacus, and Austropotamobius torrentium, as well as one invasive North American species, Faxonius limosus. Field data were combined with video-recorded observations to understand the usage of chelae in laboratory experiments for A. leptodactylus and F. limosus. According to biometrical measurements, heterochely was evenly distributed between species and sexes in wild populations, leading to the assumption that there is no specific pattern in chela size. Moreover, we found that the ambidextrous usage of chelae is a commonly encountered behaviour in crayfish, since no significant relationship was found between their chelae and asymmetry. This behaviour could maximize the chances of survival for crayfish in general, since losing one or both chelae is often recorded in the wild.

Prevalence of the crayfish plague, Aphanomyces astaci Schikora, in alien crayfish species in Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-37
Author(s):  
Kensuke Kamimura ◽  
Tadashi Kawai
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Pacifastacus Leniusculus ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Invasive Crayfish ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Crayfish Species

Abstract Crayfish plague is a severe disease of crayfish that is caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci. Two crayfish hosts of this parasite, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, were imported from North America into Japan and were found to be infected with this parasite. Since the endemic Japanese crayfish, Cambaroides japonicus, has a low resistance to the crayfish plague, infection with this parasite will likely lead to crayfish death. Specimens of both invasive crayfish species were collected across Japan and their infection status was examined using a PCR technique. Aphanomyces astaci was detected in all localities and the average infection prevalence was 67%. Additionally, when the signs of melanization were compared with the results from PCR analyses, it suggested that the DNA detection procedure is more reliable than observation of tissue melanization. Moreover, the relationship between prevalence and water temperature in the field was analyzed, indicated that water temperature influenced the prevalence of A. astaci infection.

Evaluating and predicting impacts of Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus and Louisiana red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii invasions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Takudzwa Comfort Madzivanzira
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Cherax Quadricarinatus ◽  
Unit Effort ◽  
Crayfish Species ◽  
Probability Of Capture

Freshwater crayfish have become one of the most widely introduced freshwater taxa globally. Crayfish introductions have not spared the African continent, which, apart from Madagascar, is naturally devoid of native freshwater crayfish. These introductions are of concern because invasive crayfish have generally been shown to cause strong impacts on recipient ecosystems outside Africa. This study therefore set out to compile up-to-date information regarding crayfish introductions in Africa, their pathways and distributions and to improve our understanding of the nature and magnitude of their environmental impacts. A systematic review revealed that nine crayfish species have been introduced into the continent with five of those, Astacus astacus, Cherax quadricarinatus, Faxonius limosus, Procambarus clarkii and Procambarus virginalis, having established naturalised populations in fourteen African countries (Chapter 2). The main driver of these crayfish introductions was to provide socio-economic benefits but there is limited evidence of success. The thesis further documents attempts made to address crayfish knowledge gaps in Africa, including standardisation of C. quadricarinatus sampling gear (Chapter 3), determination of the distribution of C. quadricarinatus in the recently invaded Upper Zambezi Basin (Chapter 4), and predicting ecological and socioeconomic impacts of two crayfish species that are spreading rapidly in Southern Africa, namely, C. quadricarinatus and P. clarkii (Chapters 5 – 8). To standardise C. quadricarinatus sampling methods in Africa, two methods used in Southern Africa were compared and the Promar® collapsible trap baited with dry pellets was recommended as the best approach for C. quadricarinatus abundance studies due to the high catch per unit effort (CPUE), probability of capture and the suitability of dry dog food as a standard bait. This standard approach was used for crayfish surveys in the Zambezi Basin to comprehensively determine the spread and establishment of C. quadricarinatus across the basin. The establishment of C. quadricarinatus in the Barotse Floodplain, Upper Zambezi Floodplains freshwater ecoregion was confirmed. Although the probability of capture and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of C. quadricarinatus in the Barotse floodplain were similar to that of older invasions in the basin (Lake Kariba and Kafue River), morphometric differences among C. quadricarinatus populations sampled from these invaded regions were detected. Although crayfish were not detected in other regions, for example, the Okavango Floodplains ecoregions, C. quadricarinatus have the potential to spread at a downstream and upstream rate of 49 and 12 km·year-1, impacting native biota therein. To evaluate the potential for ecological impacts, the consumer-resource dynamics of C. quadricarinatus and P. clarkii were described in comparison to a native trophic analogue, the freshwater crab of the Potamonautes genus, preying on various native taxa ubiquitous to African aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The use of functional response (FR) and consumption experiments in this study showed the potential impacts of the two crayfish species on native resources and on resources that support livelihoods in invaded ecosystems. This in most cases was a result of their high attack parameter, which also resulted in high functional responses ratios (FRRs) compared to native crabs. The crayfish FR, FRRs and consumption rates were mostly enhanced under the high temperature treatments. The FRs and consumption results were then combined with the field biomasses of crayfish and crabs to calculate the relative impact potential (RIP) to successfully predict the degree of impact caused by crayfish species relative to crabs. Crayfish species consistently displayed RIP scores > 1 relative to the native crab irrespective of region, which were higher for the summer than the winter season, suggesting greater impact of the invaders compared to the native species. This study further estimated the socioeconomic losses due to catch spoilage by C. quadricarinatus which are up to 1500 t per year in the invaded Kafue River Basin, which translates to an annual income loss of US$ 2 million. Information provided in this study is vital for conservation management and to compel policymakers to develop appropriate conservation management tools within regulatory frameworks, which could stop or minimise the spread of crayfish species and protect Africa from further losing aquatic biodiversity.

scholarly journals Resistance to the crayfish plague, Aphanomyces astaci (Oomycota) in the endangered freshwater crayfish species, Austropotamobius pallipes

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. e0181226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Martín-Torrijos ◽  
Miquel Campos Llach ◽  
Quim Pou-Rovira ◽  
Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Austropotamobius Pallipes ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Crayfish Species

scholarly journals Tracing the origin of the crayfish plague pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, to the Southeastern United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Martín-Torrijos ◽  
María Martínez-Ríos ◽  
Gloria Casabella-Herrero ◽  
Susan B. Adams ◽  
Colin R. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Haplotype Diversity ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Infectious Pathogen ◽  
Mass Mortalities ◽  
Crayfish Species

AbstractThe oomycete Aphanomyces astaci is an emerging infectious pathogen affecting freshwater crayfish worldwide and is responsible for one of the most severe wildlife pandemics ever reported. The pathogen has caused mass mortalities of freshwater crayfish species in Europe and Asia, and threatens other susceptible species in Madagascar, Oceania and South America. The pathogen naturally coexists with some North American crayfish species that are its chronic carriers. Presumptions that A. astaci originated in North America are based on disease outbreaks that followed translocations of North American crayfish and on the identification of the pathogen mainly in Europe. We studied A. astaci in the southeastern US, a center of freshwater crayfish diversity. In order to decipher the origin of the pathogen, we investigated (1) the distribution and haplotype diversity of A. astaci, and (2) whether there are crayfish species-specificities and/or geographical restrictions for A. astaci haplotypes. A total of 132 individuals, corresponding to 19 crayfish species and one shrimp species from 23 locations, tested positive for A. astaci. Mitochondrial rnnS and rnnL sequences indicated that A. astaci from the southeastern US exhibited the highest genetic diversity so far described for the pathogen (eight haplotypes, six of which we newly describe). Our findings that A. astaci is widely distributed and genetically diverse in the region supports the hypothesis that the pathogen originated in the southeastern US. In contrast to previous assumptions, however, the pathogen exhibited no clear species-specificity or geographical patterns.

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 Coexistence of Two Invasive Species, Procambarus clarkii and Aphanomyces astaci, in Brackish Waters of a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Martín-Torrijos ◽  
Angel Jose Correa-Villalona ◽  
Antonio Pradillo ◽  
Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Coastal Lagoon ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Brackish Waters ◽  
Aphanomyces Astaci ◽  
Salinity Levels ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon

Procambarus clarkii is a worldwide freshwater invasive crustacean from North America and was first introduced into Europe the 1970s. Along with P. clarkii, another invasive alien species was also spreading: Aphanomyces astaci. This pathogen is listed among the 100 World’s worst invasive species and involved in the European native crayfish decline. Although both species live in freshwater ecosystems, P. clarkii can withstand brackish waters and inhabit estuarine habitats. However, the presence of A. astaci associated to North American crayfishes has never been described in brackish waters. In this study, we have investigated the presence of A. astaci in a P. clarkii population of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon in the Albufera Natural Park, Valencia, Spain introduced in 1976. Our study confirmed the presence of this pathogen, and suggests that A. astaci has been spreading for more than four decades in the mentioned estuarine environment. Mitochondrial ribosomal rnnS and rnnL indicated that the isolated pathogen belongs to d1-haplotype (i.e., D-haplogroup) typically hosted by P. clarkii. The presence of this pathogen in a brackish environment may suggest a better adaptation than other A. astaci strains to adverse conditions, such as high salinity levels. This is a matter of concern for the conservation of European native freshwater crayfish and highlights once more the risk of introducing invasive alien crustaceans.

scholarly journals North American Branchiobdellida (Annelida: Clitellata) or Crayfish Worms in France: the most diverse distribution of these exotic ectosymbionts in Europe

Zoosymposia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-140
Author(s):  
JEAN-FRANÇOIS PARPET ◽  
STUART R. GELDER
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
First Record ◽  
Future Planning ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Widespread Distribution ◽  
Freshwater Bodies ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Crayfish Species

Crayfishes and other invertebrates were collected during 2010 to 2016 from 519 sites located in the river basins of the Adour, Charente, Dordogne, Garonne, Loire, Seine, Rhône and Sélune in France. North American species included Pacifastacus leniusculus at 255 sites, Faxonius limosus at 206 sites, Procambarus clarkii at 56 sites, and the endemic Austropotamobius pallipes at two sites. However, branchiobdellidans were only recorded from 100 sites with 23 of these being sampled more than once, resulting in a total of 127 collections.      The widely distributed western North American, P. leniusculus carried four of its endemic branchiobdellidan species: Cambarincola gracilis, C. okadai, Triannulata magna and Xironogiton victoriensis. X. victoriensis was found at the majority of sites, with C. okadai, C. gracilis, and T. magna at fewer locations. Although F. limosus was the second most numerous crayfish species collected, it did not carry any of its endemic North American branchiobdellidan species. However, it was found cohabiting with P. leniusculus at four sites but carried X. victoriensis at only one of these. European A. pallipes only occurred at two sites with individuals harboring X. victoriensis, although no cohabiting exotic crayfish were found. Crayfish were also absent from three sites where free-living X. victoriensis were recovered from substrate samples. Procambarus clarkii appeared at sites scattered across the country, while specimens with C. mesochoreus were restricted to the Adour drainage.      This study has shown the widespread distribution of exotic branchiobdellidans in the wild and the virtual extinction of endemic species in France. In addition, we have provided the first European record of T. magna, and the first record of C. mesochoreus in France; the latter being only the second recording in Europe. With this comprehensive survey of their crayfish hosts in France, monitoring future exotic range expansions and endemic contraction or extinction can be traced. These data will be available to authorities for future planning in maintaining healthy freshwater bodies by reducing the damaging effects caused by exotic crayfishes.

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