A successful crayfish invader is capable of facultative parthenogenesis: a novel reproductive mode in decapod crustaceans.

ABSTRACT: Biological invasions are impacting biota worldwide, and explaining why some taxa tend to become invasive is of major scientific interest. North American crayfish species, particularly of the family Cambaridae, are prominent invaders in freshwaters, defying the "tens rule" which states that only a minority of species introduced to new regions become established, and only a minority of those become invasive and pests. So far, success of cambarid invaders has largely been attributed to rapid maturation, high reproductive output, aggressiveness, and tolerance to pollution. We provide experimental evidence that females of one cambarid species particularly widespread in Europe, the spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus, are capable of facultative parthenogenesis. Such reproductive mode has nev

SUBMITTER: Buric M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3105005 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature