Invasion by non-indigenous freshwater decapods of Malta and Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea

Deidun, Alan; Sciberras, Arnold; Formosa, Justin; Zava, Bruno; Insacco, Gianni; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Crandall, Keith A.

doi:10.1093/jcbiol/ruy076

Cited by 22 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Hence, live red swamp crayfish specimens could be readily obtained and transported overseas, as it long occurred with scientific studies which obtained live specimens for their research in the past (Oficialdegui et al, in review). However, on the basis of our results here, the genetic variability of the red swamp crayfish recently reported by Oficialdegui et al (2019) and the occurrence of the red swamp crayfish together to other non-native decapods (Deidun et al, 2018), we propose that the Maltese population could have originated from releases of live specimens as result of pet trade from Asian countries rather than a biological supply companies from U.S.A (see Patoka et al, 2014).…”

Section: Pathways Of Introductionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Brought more than twice: the complex introduction history of the red swamp crayfish into Europe

Oficialdegui

Sánchez

Lejeusne

et al. 2019

Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst.

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One of the biggest challenges in understanding and managing biological invasions is the identification of the routes of introduction. This information is often incomplete because of unnoticed, unreported and, sometimes, illegal translocations. Reports on the introduction of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) into Europe describe that it was introduced for the first time to southern Spain (1973 and 1974) from Louisiana; from there, it rapidly spread throughout several European countries. While other importation events and pathways of introduction have been suggested in the literature, there is no evidence that these led to wild populations in Europe. Our present study suggests two additional introduction routes into Europe from non-European areas where the red swamp crayfish had previously been reported. By using mtDNA, we found a shared haplotype between the Lake Naivasha in Kenya and Western Europe, as well as another between either western United States or Asia, and Malta. These findings support historical reports found in the literature for the former case and also point towards pet trade as driver of new introductions for the latter, thus highlighting the complex introduction history of the red swamp crayfish populations in Europe.

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Section: Pathways Of Introductionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Brought more than twice: the complex introduction history of the red swamp crayfish into Europe

Oficialdegui

Sánchez

Lejeusne

et al. 2019

Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst.

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“…Alien species have been proven to affect ecosystems by leading to the reduction or disappearance of native species as well as causing habitat modification [1][2][3]. Mediterranean region fresh waters, for example, risk losing 56% of their endemic freshwater fish, 36% of freshwater crabs and crayfish, 29% of amphibians and 19% of dragonflies over the next decades [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2019

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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.

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“…According to Scalici et al [9], a large population inhabited six abandoned crayfish cultivation ponds in the Reserve, although the species seemed to be still confined in the ponds without expanding into the several surrounding fresh waters of the area. Until now, the species has only been found in Latium in Italy, but recently a few individuals were sampled in the Costanzo stream in the province of Siracusa, Sicily [13]. Cherax destructor is an r-selected species, and is considered a high-risk species by Tricarico et al [14] due to its high resistance to environmental extremes and its severe impacts on the invaded habitat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Red Alien vs. the Blue Destructor: The Eradication of Cherax destructor by Procambarus clarkii in Latium (Central Italy)

et al. 2018

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Cherax destructor is a crayfish endemic to south-eastern Australia and one of the last alien crayfish to be introduced in Italy. In the Laghi di Ninfa Natural Reserve (Latium region, Central Italy), the species was probably introduced in 1999, but only reported for the first time in 2008. Nearby this area, the most widespread alien crayfish is the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. In the Natural Reserve, between 2008 and 2013 and during spring and summer, crayfish sampling was carried out with baited traps to assess the distribution of C. destructor and its possible relationship with P. clarkii. Cherax destructor was first recorded in 2008; few P. clarkii were detected in the cultivation ponds where C. destructor was present in 2012 and 2013. Moreover, crayfish plague analyses evidenced a positive result in two out of the 12 sampled P. clarkii. Cherax destructor is now completely absent from the Natural Reserve, while P. clarkii has spread in the area and was probably responsible for this eradication since C. destructor is vulnerable to crayfish plague which was also detected in the area. An ecosystem restoration project in the area favoured the spread of. P. clarkii; the implications of this intervention are discussed.

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Invasion by non-indigenous freshwater decapods of Malta and Sicily, central Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 22 publications

References 31 publications

Brought more than twice: the complex introduction history of the red swamp crayfish into Europe

Brought more than twice: the complex introduction history of the red swamp crayfish into Europe

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

The Red Alien vs. the Blue Destructor: The Eradication of Cherax destructor by Procambarus clarkii in Latium (Central Italy)

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