Simultaneous detection of invasive signal crayfish, endangered white-clawed crayfish and the crayfish plague pathogen using environmental DNA. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robinson, Chloe Victoria; Uren Webster, Tamsyn M.; Cable, Joanne; James, Joanna; Consuegra, Sofia
• Is Part Of: Biological conservation. Volume 222(2018)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: eDNA -- Pacifastacus leniusculus -- Austropotamobius pallipes -- AIS -- Crayfish -- Conservation -- Aphanomyces astaci -- Detect -- qPCR-HRM; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.04.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3207

Abstract

Abstract: Aquatic 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 using 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. Highlights: Simultaneous identification of native crayfish, invasive signal crayfish and crayfish plague using an eDNA HRM-qPCR assay Presence of infected signal crayfish extended, despite previous intensive eradication attempts. Endangered native crayfish detected in an area where trapping had failed. Coexistence of native and invasive crayfish only in crayfish plague-free areas.