Crayfish plague in Japan: A real threat to the endemic Cambaroides japonicus.

ABSTRACT: Global introductions of aquatic species and their associated pathogens are threatening worldwide biodiversity. The introduction of two North American crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus, into Japan in 1927 seems to have negatively affected native Japanese crayfish populations of Cambaroides japonicus. Several studies have shown the decline of these native populations due to competition, predation and habitat colonization by the two invasive North American crayfish species. Here, we identify an additional factor contributing to this decline. We report the first crayfish plague outbreaks in C. japonicus populations in Japan, which were diagnosed using both histological and molecular approaches (analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region). Subsequent ana

SUBMITTER: Martin-Torrijos L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5884544 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature