engleski

Comparison of the immune response of native and invasive alien species of decapod crayfish of the Korana River

The immune response is among the major drivers of an individual’s health since it is responsible for protecting organisms against pathogens. Consequently, it is one of the drivers of the invasion success of a species. This study aimed to compare the immune response of the resistant native species, the narrowclawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) and the successful invasive alien species, the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) from the Korana River, at three sites where these species co-occur in mixed populations. We have performed between- species comparisons of specimens caught with LiNi traps in September 2020. The standard immune response parameters, frequently reported in crayfish, were compared: total hemocyte count, the strength of the encapsulation response and enzyme activity of phenoloxidase (PO) and total prophenoloxidase (proPO). Also, since the immune response is considered an important fitness component, we have compared it to the body condition parameters (hepatosomatic index and Fulton’s condition factor) of each species. Compared to native narrow-clawed crayfish, invasive signal crayfish had significantly higher values of two immune response parameters (encapsulation response and total prophenoloxidase) and exhibited an overall better immune response. We discuss our findings in the context of the potential contribution of these differences in the immune response to the observed displacement of the narrow-clawed crayfish by the signal crayfish from mixed populations in the Korana River.

immune system ; signal crayfish ; narrow-clawed crayfish ; freshwater ecosystems

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