Mestre and colleagues, 2013

Mestre A, Aguilar-Alberola JA, Baldry D, Balkis H, Ellis A, Gil-Delgado JA, Grabow K, Klobučar G, Kouba A, Maguire I, Martens A, Mülayim A, Rueda J, Scharf B, Soes M, S. Monrós J, Mesquita-Joanes F. 2013. Invasion biology in non-free-living species: interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space in crayfish commensals (Ostracoda, Entocytheridae). Ecology and Evolution 3(16): 5237–5253. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.897

Abstract

In invasion processes, both abiotic and biotic factors are considered essential, but the latter are usually disregarded when modeling the potential spread of exotic species. In the framework of set theory, interactions between biotic (B), abiotic (A), and movement-related (M) factors in the geographical space can be hypothesized with BAM diagrams and tested using ecological niche models (ENMs) to estimate A and B areas. The main aim of our survey was to evaluate the interactions between abiotic (climatic) and biotic (host availability) factors in geographical space for exotic symbionts (i.e., non-free-living species), using ENM techniques combined with a BAM framework and using exotic Entocytheridae (Ostracoda) found in Europe as model organisms. We carried out an extensive survey to evaluate the distribution of entocytherids hosted by crayfish in Europe by checking 94 European localities and 12 crayfish species. Both exotic entocytherid species found, Ankylocythere sinuosa and Uncinocythere occidentalis, were widely distributed in W Europe living on the exotic crayfish species Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, respectively. No entocytherids were observed in the remaining crayfish species. The suitable area for A. sinuosa was mainly restricted by its own limitations to minimum temperatures in W and N Europe and precipitation seasonality in circum-Mediterranean areas. Uncinocythere occidentalis was mostly restricted by host availability in circum-Mediterranean regions due to limitations of P. leniusculus to higher precipitation seasonality and maximum temperatures. The combination of ENMs with set theory allows studying the invasive biology of symbionts and provides clues about biogeographic barriers due to abiotic or biotic factors limiting the expansion of the symbiont in different regions of the invasive range. The relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on geographical space can then be assessed and applied in conservation plans. This approach can also be implemented in other systems where the target species is closely interacting with other taxa.

Keywords: biological invasions • BAM diagrams • ecological niche models • host availability

Note: Co-author Menno Soes confirmed that the “Procambarus fallax” studied in this paper is indeed P. fallax f. virginalis, or Marmorkrebs.

First look at Freshwater Crayfish: A Global Overview

A new book on crayfish is now up at the publisher’s website. Here is the publisher’s description, with my emphasis added:

Features

• Provides an up-to-date reference work on commercially important crustaceans
• Covers conservation status and biology of all endangered species, taxonomy, and distribution of crayfishes worldwide
• Introduces a new model aquatic organism—a parthenogenetic freshwater crayfish

Summary

For their great commercial importance as a human food delicacy, crayfish are now becoming of wider interest to molecular biologists, and also to conservationists due to the fact that in some countries many of the native crayfish species are under threat from human activity, disease, and competition from other introduced crayfish species. Helmed by three editors in Japan, Europe, and the US, this book invites contributions from experts around the globe, covering the conservation status and biology of all endangered species, taxonomy, and distribution of crayfishes worldwide

It is slated for publication 15 April 2015.

Verschueren, 2013

Verschueren H. 2013. Tracing endangered and invasive animal species in water using eDNA detection methods. Master’s thesis in Forensic Science: University of Amsterdam. http://dare.uva.nl/document/497579

Abstract

In the Netherlands several protected animals that live in surface waters are monitored to meet Dutch directives or laws. Current animal monitoring is mainly based on visual observations which can be time consuming and labor intensive. These methods are also not always effective for animal species that are rare, have a hidden lifestyle or have ambiguous morphological characteristics. Alternative monitoring methods were introduced for animal species that live (partly) in water based on detection of DNA - traces excreted into the environment (eDNA). Due to the fact that this method detects DNA, it is not required to catch or even observe the target organisms. eDNA can be detected and quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This project aimed to develop and validate eDNA detection methods for protected weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis) and great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) species, and for seven invasive freshwater crayfish species (Astacidae & Cambaridae). Target species are selected because they are rare (T. cristatus and M. fossilis) or have a hidden lifestyle (all). Besides, early detection of exotic and invasive species (Astacidae & Cambaridae) is essential for success of a control plan. Furthermore was examined under which circumstances eDNA detection method provide better results. Finally, two different sample processing procedures were compared for DNA yields and detection probability.

eDNA detection methods require robust qPCR-protocols for amplification and quantification of target species DNA. Specific primers were developed targeting COI, CytB and 16S genes present on mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is known for its high copy number which increases detection chance. Besides, these DNA regions are variable between species but conserved within species. Both properties make mtDNA a suitable target for species specific detection methods. Species specific qPCR-protocols were proposed after extensive in silico and in vitro analysis. Primers and probes were analyzed for amplification efficiency of target- and reference species DNA. Specific M. fossilis and T. cristatus assays were successfully developed targeting a region in the COI gene. Assays for invasive Astacidae & Cambaridae species were not successful yet.

The sensitivity of the methods was successfully determined by analyzing samples taken from locations where target species were present. Developed eDNA methods were validated in a field study. Twelve locations were sampled in triplicate at several water bodies in the Alblasserwaard polder during early spring and late spring. Results were compared to conventional screening data from the same period. In general M. fossilis and T. cristatus DNA was detected in all samples taken from locations where species were observed. Moreover, DNA was amplified in more samples if collected during late spring than during early spring. This is most likely due to inactive M. fossilis species or absent T. cristatus species during colder periods. Finally, two different sampling methods and procedures were applied: 1 L filtration versus 15 mL precipitation. Sample filtration results in extraction of merely cellular DNA while sample precipitation results in extraction of both cellular- and extracellular DNA. Comparison of the results slightly indicated that precipitation of 15 mL volumes give higher DNA yields and filtration of 1 L volumes give higher detection probability. In conclusion, eDNA detection methods designed for Misgunrus fossilis and Triturus cristatus species show potential to be sensitive and specific tools in species monitoring but more research is needed before it can be applied.

Keywords: None provided.

van Oosterhout and colleagues, 2014

van Oosterhout F, Goitom E, Roessink I, Lürling M. 2014. Lanthanum from a modified clay used in eutrophication control is bioavailable to the marbled crayfish (Procambarus fallax f. virginalis). PLOS ONE 9(7): e102410. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102410

Abstract

To mitigate eutrophication in fresh standing waters the focus is on phosphorus (P) control, i.e. on P inflows to a lake as well as a lake’s sediment as internal P source. The in-lake application of the lanthanum (La) modified clays – i.e. La modified bentonite (Phoslock) or La modified kaolinite, aim at dephosphatising the water column and at reducing the release of P from a lake’s sediment. Application of these clays raises the question whether La from these clays can become bioavailable to biota. We investigated the bioavailability of La from Phoslock in a controlled parallel groups experiment in which we measured the La in carapace, gills, ovaries, hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle after 0, 14 and 28 days of exposure to Phoslock. Expressing the treatment effect as the difference of the median concentration between the two treatment groups (Phoslock minus control group) yield the following effects, the plus sign (+) indicating an increase, concentrations in µg g⁻¹ dry weight: Day 14: carapace +10.5 µg g⁻¹, gills +112 µg g⁻¹, ovaries +2.6 µg g⁻¹, hepatopancreas +32.9 µg g⁻¹ and abodminal muscle +3.2 µg g⁻¹. Day 28: carapace +17.9 µg g⁻¹; gills +182 µg g⁻¹; ovaries +2.2 µg g⁻¹; hepatopancreas +41.9 µg g⁻¹ and abodminal muscle +7.6 µg g⁻¹, all effects were statistically significant. As La from Phoslock is bio-available to and taken up by the marbled crayfishes (Procambarus fallax f. virginalis), we advocate that the application of in-lake chemical water treatments to mitigate eutrophication should be accompanied by a thorough study on potential side effects.

Keywords: None provided.