Detection and Control of Invasive Freshwater Crayfish: From Traditional to Innovative Methods

Abstract

Invasive alien species are widespread in freshwater systems compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Among crustaceans, crayfish in particular have been widely introduced and are considered a major threat to freshwater ecosystem functioning. New emerging techniques for detecting and controlling invasive crayfish and protecting endangered native species are; thus, now highly desirable and several are under evaluation. Important innovations have been developed in recent years for detection of both invasive and native crayfish, mainly through eDNA, which allows for the detection of the target species even at low abundance levels and when not directly observable. Forecasting models have also moved towards the creation of realistic invasion scenarios, allowing effective management plans to be developed in advance of invasions. The importance of monitoring the spread and impacts of crayfish and pathogens in developing national data and research networks is emphasised; here “citizen science” can also play a role. Emerging techniques are still being considered in the field of invasive crayfish control. Although for decades the main traditional techniques to manage invasive crayfish were solely based on trapping, since 2010 biological, biocidal, autocidal controls and sexual attractants, monosex populations, RNA interference, the sterile male release technique and oral delivery have all also been investigated for crayfish control. In this review, ongoing methodologies applied to the detection and management of invasive crayfish are discussed, highlighting their benefits and limitations.

Impacts of climate change on the global potential distribution of two notorious invasive crayfishes

“…Even though various control methods have been attempted to control nuisance crayfish, crayfish eradication is almost impossible except in limited circumstances (Gherardi, Aquiloni, Diéguez-Uribeondo, & Tricarico, 2011;Hansen, Ives, Vander Zanden, & Carpenter, 2013;Holdich, Gydemo, & Rogers, 1999;Manfrin, Souty-Grosset, Anastácio, Reynolds, & Giulianini, 2019). However, Hansen et al (2013) pointed out that more frequently droughts in the future may facilitate eradication of invasive rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in Wisconsin lakes.…”

Enigmatic hotspot of crayfish diversity at risk: Invasive potential of non‐indigenous crayfish if introduced to New Guinea

“…It should be noted that four species from the set, C. patzcuarensis and all three Procambarus species, can serve as vectors of crayfish plague (Keller, Pfeiffer, Roessink, Schulz, & Schrimpf, 2014;Mrugała et al, 2015), and this threat is becoming more realistic after the finding of the pathogen and its host P. clarkii in Indonesia (Putra et al, 2018). Prevention of NICS arrival is essential, because studies have shown that their later elimination is extremely difficult and at best very costly (Manfrin et al, 2019;Nunes, Hoffman, Zengeya, Measey, & Weyl, 2017;Peay et al, 2019;Peay, Dunn, Kunin, McKimm, & Harrod, 2015).…”

“…Endemic crayfish are threatened by invasive species through direct competition, habitat alteration and loss, modification of the structure of freshwater food webs, and by disease transmission (Gherardi, 2007). Mitigation or eradication of established nonindigenous crayfish species (NICS) is mostly impossible, and no strategy is widely effective in this regard (Gherardi, Aquiloni, Diéguez-Uribeondo, & Tricarico, 2011;Manfrin, Souty-Grosset, Anastácio, Reynolds, & Giulianini, 2019). Recently, a new threat to Cherax crayfish was found in Java, Indonesia: the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci (Putra et al, 2018).…”

New records of the invasive red swamp crayfishProcambarus clarkii(Girard, 1852) (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Poland

“…On the other hand, biological control represented by introduction of natural predators may be potentially dangerous to native crayfish as well as to amphibians. According to current knowledge on eradication actions, biotechnological methods such as Sterile Male Release Technique might be an effective temporary way for invasive crayfish management, as they are safe to environment and already tested mainly on P. clarkii (Manfrin et al, 2019;Sandodden, 2019). Environmentally safe methods allowing ultimate eradication of invasive crayfish are urgently needed.…”