Parasite DNA detection in water samples enhances crayfish plague monitoring in asymptomatic invasive populations
Authors
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
01.11.2021
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Collections
Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Biological Invasions
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
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Series
Series number
Volume
24
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
281-297
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Springer
Place of publication / Event location
Edition
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Abstract
Invasive species can facilitate the spread of pathogens by first providing asymptomatic host reservoirs, and then driving disease outbreaks in native populations through pathogen spillover. An example of this are invasive crayfish species in Europe (Faxonius limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii), which carry the deadly plague agent (Aphanomyces astaci). Effective disease management requires comprehensive monitoring, however, pathogen detection in carrier populations with low pathogen prevalence and intensities is challenging. We simultaneously collected and analysed crayfish tissue samples of invasive crayfish populations and water samples to compare A. astaci detection in different sample types using quantitative PCR. Combined, the two sampling methods revealed A. astaci presence with DNA concentrations above limit of detection (LOD; the lowest concentration which can be detected with reasonable certainty) in 13 of 23 invasive crayfish populations. In four additional sites, A. astaci DNA concentrations below LOD were found in water. In four populations only were A. astaci concentrations above LOD detected in both sample types and in three populations in concentrations above LOD in tissue but below LOD in water. The likely reason for these discrepancies is the low A. astaci prevalence and concentration in resistant invasive crayfish, which limit detection reliability. Consistency may be improved by timing surveys with seasonal periods of high A. astaci abundance and by increasing water sampling effort. Considering the ease of collecting eDNA samples, compared to crayfish tissue sampling, eDNA methods would facilitate frequent and comprehensive surveys. However, remaining uncertainties in eDNA-based detection reveal the relevance of combining monitoring tools to improve detection of invasive pathogens and their management.
Keywords
Aphanomyces astaci, Invasive crayfish, Environmental DNA, Pathogen monitoring
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ISBN
ISSN
1387-3547
1573-1464
1573-1464
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Hybrid
License
Citation
SIEBER, Natalie, Hanna HARTIKAINEN, Raphael KRIEG, Armin ZENKER und Christoph VORBURGER, 2021. Parasite DNA detection in water samples enhances crayfish plague monitoring in asymptomatic invasive populations. Biological Invasions. 1 November 2021. Bd. 24, S. 281–297. DOI 10.1007/s10530-021-02644-y. Verfügbar unter: https://doi.org/10.26041/fhnw-4147