Differences in Intestinal Microbial Composition between Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) and Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) Cultured in Pond

Abstract

Intestinal microbiota communities participate in several metabolic processes in the host, and are highly correlated to digestion, nutrition, growth, and immunity. However, the intestinal microbiota of aquatic invertebrates is poorly understood, especially in freshwater crayfish. In this study, the intestinal microbiota of two important freshwater economic aquaculture species, the invasive species, the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Pc), and the introduced species, the red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus, Cq), were investigated. The results showed that the community richness and diversity of Pc were higher than those of Cq, which might be one of the reasons that Pc have stronger environmental adaptability than Cq. Five core phyla were identified in the Pc group, including Proteobacteria (26.92%), Tenericutes (25.73%), Bacteroidetes (25.12%), Firmicutes (14.03%), and RsaHF231 (8.02%), and three phyla were detected in the Cq group, including Tenericutes (67.35%), Proteobacteria (25.98%), and Firmicutes (4.69%). In Pc and Cq groups, Proteobacteria exhibited significant differential abundance between males and females. In addition, Vibrio coralliilyticus were found particularly in the intestine of Cq. This study provides information on intestinal microbiota differences of Pc and Cq, contributing to the development of new dietary formulations and providing significance to future aquaculture.

The Composition and Diversity of Intestinal Microbes at Different Growth Stages of Giant Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

“…Stage-specific, sex-specific, and species-specific microbiota compositions in growth responses have been reported in vertebrates and invertebrates, such as Cetobacterium in the giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) [36], Rhodobacterales in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) [37] and Vibrio coralliilyticus in the red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) [30]. Candidatus Hepatoplasma was detected only in the two-and three-month-old prawn groups.…”

“…Diversity differences in the intestinal microbiota have been reported in a number of shrimp species, such as Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus), Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) [28][29][30]. The intestinal microbiota of Indian white shrimp differed among different stages and showed decreasing diversity with age.…”

Benefits of Polyphenol-Based Synbiotics in Crustacean Diet

“…This is in agreement with a study [106] in which the administration of seaweeds (Ulva lactuca) as a feed additive promoted the growth of Enterobacteriaceae in specimens of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). These microorganisms resulted to be of crucial importance for the correct development and functioning of intestinal microflora, being involved in a series of processes, including digestion and food absorption, production of advantageous metabolites, and protection against pathogens [107,108]. Lately, it has been reported that the microencapsulation of Enterobacter spp.…”

Microplastics in feed cause sublethal changes in the intestinal microbiota and a non-specific immune response indicator of the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

“…This result was associated with changes in the biochemical immune response of the crayfish PO. Since previous studies have shown that gut microbiome differs between male and female of P. clarkii , affecting their immune responses ( Chen et al, 2022 ), we suggest including females in future studies to examine the toxic effects of MP on crustaceans, by assessing histological and physiological changes as well as hemolymph microbiome reactions in the presence of MP. Studying other markers of crayfish immune system such as cellular responses (e.g., hemocyte parameters), receptors and signaling molecules ( Bouallegui, 2021 ) would be useful to fully understand the relationship between the animal’s physiological response and microbiota changes.…”