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Aphanomyces astaci in Mexico: A new haplotype from dwarf crayfish Cambarellus montezumae

Laura Martín-Torrijos1, Ariadne Hernández-Pérez2, Jorge Francisco Monroy-López3

  • 1Department of Mycology, Real Jardín Botánico-CSIC, Plaza Murillo 2, 28014 Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
|October 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci was found in Mexico, carried by the native Cambarellus montezumae crayfish. This discovery highlights the need to study its distribution in North American crayfish species.

Area of Science:

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Crayfish plague, caused by Aphanomyces astaci, devastates Eurasian crayfish populations.
  • North American crayfish act as chronic carriers of A. astaci due to their immune response.
  • The pathogen A. astaci originates in the southeastern United States, coinciding with the Cambaridae family's origin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and genetic diversity of Aphanomyces astaci in Mexico.
  • To determine if native Mexican crayfish species carry A. astaci.
  • To assess the implications of A. astaci presence in Mexico for susceptible crayfish populations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the small (rrnS) and large (rrnL) mitochondrial ribosomal regions.
  • DNA sequencing to identify A. astaci haplotypes.
  • Field sampling of Cambarellus montezumae populations in Mexico.

Main Results:

  • Aphanomyces astaci was detected for the first time in Mexico in Cambarellus montezumae.
  • Two distinct A. astaci haplotypes were identified: d1-haplotype and a novel mex1-haplotype.
  • C. montezumae individuals appear to be chronic carriers, showing no signs of crayfish plague outbreaks.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of A. astaci in Mexico confirms its distribution within the Cambaridae family's range.
  • The findings raise concerns for susceptible crayfish species in southern America (e.g., Parastacidae).
  • Further research is crucial to understand A. astaci's distribution and genetic diversity in North American carrier species, particularly in unexplored regions.
Keywords:
Crustacean diseasesFamily CambaridaeHost-pathogen distributionHost-pathogen interactionNorth AmericaOomycota

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