Naslov
DEVELOPMENT OF A NONINVASIVE METHOD FOR DETECTION OF Aphanomyces astaci, THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF CRAYFISH PLAGUE

Autori
Ljubej, Lea ; Maguire, Ivana ; Hudina, Sandra ; Horvat Velić, Emina ; Bielen Ana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
2nd Croatian Symposium on invasive species with International Participation - Book of abstracts / Jelaska, Sven - Zagreb : Hrvatsko ekološko društvo, 2016, 58-58

Skup
2nd Croatian Symposium on invasive species with International Participation

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 21.11.2016. - 22.11.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
invasive crayfish, oomycetes, noninvasive disease monitoring, management

Sažetak
The crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci (Oomycetes) is native to North America, but has expanded through Europe via invasive North American crayfish. Alien crayfish, such as Orconectes limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus fallax f. virginalis, co- evolved with the pathogen and are generally resistant to the disease, acting as A. astaci carriers. On the contrary, native crayfish species are highly susceptible and infestation with A. astaci causes their death. Crayfish plague has caused major declines of native European freshwater crayfish, and A. astaci is therefore listed among the world's 100 worst invasive alien species according to the Invasive Species Specialist Group. Monitoring of A. astaci in Europe is of the upmost importance for the conservation of native crayfish populations. However, current methods for detection of A. astaci on crayfish are invasive. Namely, animals are sacrificed, DNA is extracted from pieces of cuticle and A. astaci presence is confirmed by PCR based methods. To avoid sacrificing endangered native crayfish, the main goal of this research was to develop a noninvasive method of A. astaci detection. We have firstly optimized the procedure of DNA isolation from crayfish mixed epibiotic microbial communities, including A. astaci. Then, we have improved the sensitivity of the PCR-based A. astaci detection and tested the protocol on individuals, which were infected under controlled laboratory conditions. In perspective, this protocol will allow to detect native individuals in the early phases of the infection, remove them from the natural habitat, and develop methods for their treatment.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA