Better Alone Than in Bad Company: Trophic Ecology of Co‐Occurring Invasive and Native Crayfish

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(5)

Published: May 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The North American signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus , is one of the most successful invasive crayfish species in Europe. Its broad trophic niche and ability to exploit various food sources across different levels, coupled with spread lethal disease, pose significant threats native populations. However, documentation co‐occurrence between invaded freshwater ecosystems remains rare, research on their coexistence limited. In an Italian stream, coexist native, white‐clawed Austropotamobius pallipes . This study investigated ecology at sites where they co‐occurred versus those occurred alone. We evaluated whether ecological traits, such as niche, presence plague ( Aphanomyces astaci ), body condition invasion front, facilitated progress replacement crayfish. employed stable isotope analyses carbon nitrogen, using SIBER MixSIAR mixing models, along stomach content Fulton hepatopancreas indices. When two alone, exhibited partitioning. coexisted, niches significantly overlapped. Specifically, shifted that changing from a predatory‐omnivorous diet primary consumer. A greater occurrence was found stomachs compared indicating higher cannibalistic behaviour, while both consumed substantial proportions macroinvertebrates, detritus, periphyton when co‐occurring. general, better conditions co‐occurring allopatric individuals, suggesting strength individuals front. highlights complex dynamics interactions, emphasising plasticity improved biological by during co‐occurrence.

Language: Английский

Protocols for studying the crayfish plague pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, and its host-pathogen interactions

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 108018 - 108018

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

The crayfish plague caused by the pathogen Aphanomyces astaci has decimated European and Asian populations of freshwater represents an important threat to other highly susceptible species in world, such as Australian, Madagascar, South American species. development application molecular methods addressed identification A. increased exponentially during last decades contrast a slow trend biology host interaction. There is still need for better comprehension astaci-crayfish interactions, specifically resistance tolerance immune mechanism. These types studies required robust basic knowledge on developmental order reproduce life stages perform infection experiments. A great piece work this area was carried out 1960s 80s University Uppsala. Thus, purpose update previous protocols well generate new guidelines key astaci, eventually identify with higher pathogen. This also refers methodologies diagnosis plague, isolation, vitro production zoospores.

Language: Английский