Abstracts
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LIST OF MEETING ABSTRACTS
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Oral Presentations
Day: 5, Session: 4, Talk: 6
P2X as a Solution to Crayfish Plague
ZIMMERMAN J, Norström S and Faith-Ell C
River Ljungan in Sweden has suffered from crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astacii), resulting in the extinction of noble crayfish (Astacus astacus). At the same time, P2X industries such as hydrogen gas production is developing in the region. The Swedish Hydrogen and Crayfish research project explores how the residue products from the production of hydrogen gas; oxygen, and heat, can be utilized to disinfect crayfish plague and facilitate the growth and survival of crayfish. The temperature of process water varies between 48 and 73°C and could disinfect water from crayfish plague as spores of crayfish plague die from a short exposure to 60°C. Ozone disinfection and UV light are common techniques to neutralize microorganisms in drinking water. It is unclear how these techniques affect the survival of crayfish plague spores. This presentation outlines a study, in which solutions for direct or indirect water supply from hydrogen production to crayfish farms will be proposed. The goal is to ensure that crayfish farming can be freed from crayfish plague and has a temperature that favors the survival and growth of the crayfish. Laboratory experiments will test different methods to disinfect crayfish plague. The presence of crayfish plague and the survival of crayfish in the treated water will then be investigated. Crayfish plague occurrence will be measured with a real-time PCR Thermocycler before and after treatment of water. The genotype of the crayfish plague will be analyzed with TaqMan MGB real-time PCR. We will present the experimental design and would appreciate your input.
Poster Presentations
POSTER 8
A Preliminary Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Cambarus bartonii Species Complex from the Northeastern USA
FETZNER JR. JW
An analysis of genetic diversity in the Cambarus bartonii species complex from the Northeastern USA was conducted using the mitochondrial COI barcode region. This species has a widespread distribution in the streams of eastern Canada and the USA, ranging from southern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick southward to northern Alabama. It is thought to represent a species complex and its relationship to C. carinirostris and C. cavatus, previously considered subspecies of C. bartonii, are also examined. Results suggest that sampled populations of C. bartonii from across eastern Pennsylvania contain the same COI haplotype, and is indicative of the type population. These populations are distinct from populations of C. carinirostris sampled from western and southwestern Pennsylvania, and from populations of C. cavatus from North Carolina and Virginia, indicating that their current elevated status as species is justified. For C. carinirostris, there appeared to be two distinct haplogroups in southwestern PA, possibly suggesting a previously unknown and undescribed species co-occurring in the region. Additional sampling will be needed to help delimit the geographic distributions of these species.
POSTER 15
Morphological Variability Among Populations of Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) from Fentral Balkan
Marković V, Đuretanović S, Roljić R, Nlkolić V and ZORIĆ K
The Balkans is Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) hotspot. In its central parts (Serbia) three main stone crayfish phylogroups are present: CSE (Central and South-East European), SB (Southern Balkans) and LD (Lika and Dalmatia). In order to assess the morphological variability of the stone crayfish we analyzed ten populations from the central Balkans. A total of 145 adult crayfish (total length over 60 mm) were measured during our 2017 field study and 21 linear parameters and individual weight were taken. All measurements were standardized by postorbital length. Of analyzed crayfish 80 were males and 65 females. Performed non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis) have shown that males and females differ in majority of parameters, including those related to weight. Discriminant analysis showed that abdominal and claw widths were the most important for sex separation, with the first one having larger values in females, while the second one being larger in males. Regarding populations, non-parametric tests showed that only stable parameters among male populations were a few characteristics of abdomen, claws and weight, while in female populations those were a bit more numerous. Canonical discriminate analysis was used to assess spatial morphological variability among studied populations (10 populations for males, and 8 for females). The results have shown that separation among male samples is more pronounced than in females. Alongside the first root a clear distinction of Uvac (CSE phylogroup) and Rasina (SB phylogroup) populations from the rest can be observed, while along the second root these two populations differ. Considering that analyzed populations belong to all three main phylogroups our results suggest that morphological variability of the stone crayfish is related more to specific environmental conditions (adaptations) than to separate phylogenetic lineages.
POSTER 17
Narrow–clawed Crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) in Slovenia
MRZELJ L, Pernat V, Semrajc B, Margu? D, Žurbi U and Bláha M
Pontastacus leptodactylus is European species with three main phylogroups. Slovenia (SI) mostly lays outside of its native range, but European haplotypes could naturally expand their areal in to SI. P. leptodactylus was firstly detected in SI in 2017 in Lava pond (Savinja River). In 2021, another population of this species was detected in River Pivka, near Postojna cave sink hole. Genetic results show that both populations originate from Asian phylogroup, which confirms non-nativeness of the species in SI. Additionally, we detected a concrete case of human introduction of the species in the wild; via social media. The origin of the species could be a grocery store that traded with live specimens. Another possible introduction route is cross-country transport; Financial Administration of SI have confiscated 68 P. leptodactylus specimens transported by Ukrainian driver. In order to prevent spread of P. lepodactylus in SI, Fiseheries Reasearch Institute (SI) is implementing measures for population control by removal of specimens. In Lava pond, we are removing females and returning sterilized males, while in the Pivka River, we are eliminating all captured specimens, including males. Dominant males predate on crayfish juveniles, including juveniles of the same species. Since in Pivka River native noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) resides, returning of P. leptodactylus males would be groundless - A. astacus takes over the predatory pressure. The results show implemented measures impact. In Lava pond, we detected significant decrease of P. leptodactylus. In Pivka River, the implemented measures resulted in increased number of A. astacus in the catch.
POSTER 22
A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Branchiobdella Species of the Balkan Region
Roljić R, Atanacković A, Nikolić V, Marković V and ZORIĆ K
Branchiobdellidans are clitellate annelids that occur mainly on astacoidean crayfishes as obligate epibionts. In Europe, all native species belong to the genus Branchiobdella Odier, 1823, which is represented by nine species. Of these, five species have been recorded in the Western Balkans Branchiobdella astaci Odier, 1823, B. parasita (Braun, 1805), B. pentadonta Whitman, 1882, B. hexadonta Grüber, 1883, B. italica Canegallo, 1928, and B. balcanica Moszynsky, 1938. The aim of the work is to improve our knowledge of the occurrence of these species in the Balkan region. Samples of Austropotamobius torrentium were collected from three streams: Miljevka, Govza and Bistrica, belonging to the River Drina basin in the municipality of Fo?a in south-eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based on the morphological characteristics of the jaw - shape and dentation, the following species were identified: Branchiobdella parasita and species from the pentadonta complex. Since the two species of the pentadonta complex, B. italica and B. pentadonta, are morphologically very similar and both were previously found on A. torrentium, an exact identification of the species is possible using molecular-phylogenetic analyses that are planned in upcoming period. The obtained results are consistent with the literature data. However, if confirmed, the finding of B. italica on stone crayfish from the Black Sea basin would be of particular importance. Until now, the distribution of B. italica was restricted only to the watercourses of the Adriatic Sea basin.
POSTER 31
Traditional Model Animals Verses Crayfish: Driving Revolutionary Research
IQBAL A and Kozák P
Highlighting the limitations of traditional mice models in accurately mirroring human health conditions, this study underscores the importance of diversifying animal models in biomedical research. Due to their complex neural circuits and advanced stem cell systems, crayfish emerge as a pioneering model. They offer critical insights into neurobiology and cellular differentiation, which are vital for advancements in neurodegenerative disease and cancer research. In contrast to traditional models, crayfish biological mechanisms are more like those in humans. This makes them essential for studying how tumours behave and testing new treatments that could be used more widely in humans. Position of crayfish alongside non-traditional models like ferrets, guinea pigs, and zebrafish, each serving niche purposes from studying respiratory diseases to genetic mutations and addressing the challenges of model selection, including the need for model-specific research methodologies to ensure validity and applicability, this review highlights the untapped potential of crayfish. Emphasizing their robust neurobiological and cellular features, we argue for including crayfish in the repertoire of biomedical models, projecting their role in pioneering future biomedical discoveries, and enhancing the translatability of preclinical research to human health improvements. Calls for crayfish to be used more in high-impact biomedical research and shows how they can act as a translational bridge, possibly speeding up the creation of new therapeutic strategies that directly affect human health. As such, crayfish emerge not merely as an alternative but as a necessity for bridging the translational divide, heralding a new era in the pursuit of precision medicine and sustainable research models in the high-stakes arena of biomedical science.
POSTER 32
Reproductive Biology of Pacifastacus leniusculus in a Small Tributary of Clitunno River (Tiber River Basin, Central Italy)
LORENZONI F, Carosi A, Tiberi E and Lorensoni M
Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) is an invasive crayfish of European Union Concern present in Italy. P. leniusculus has been recorded for the first time in the Clitunno river (Tiber River basin, Central Italy) in 2020 and, in accordance with the European regulation n° 1143/2014 a population eradication plan has been immediately drawn up as part of the LIFE IMAGINE 19 IPE/IT/000015 project. A total of 535 individuals were caught through electrofishing and trapping from November 2022 to June 2024 from Fosso Vecchio, a small tributary of the Clitunno river, and were analyzed to investigate reproductive biology. Individuals were euthanized, measured (total length, cephalothorax length and weight), sexed and analyzed. Pleopodal eggs from 35 females were counted, weighted, and measured while gonads were extracted, weighted and females’ developmental stage was attributed. The number of pleopodal eggs per females ranged from 6 to 481, a positive significant relationship between mean diameter of eggs and cephalotorax length was found. Gonadosomathic index (GSI) was calculated for both sexes. P. leniusculus females showed the highest GSI mean value in September (mean 3.7 ± SD 2.1), while males GSI mean value was higher in October (mean 0.9 ± SD 0.4). Females with pleopodal eggs were found from October to January, only one female with juveniles attached was caught in February. Our results contribute to expanding the knowledge on reproductive biology of one of the southernmost populations of P. leniusculus introduced in Italy, and results may be useful in increasing the effectiveness of control plans for this invasive species.
POSTER 33
New Record of Astacus astacus population in Brcanj stream (Bosnia-Herzegovina): Age-class Distribution and Length-weight Relationship
LORENZONI F, Carosi A, Oneto F, Capurro M, Ovčina J, Rezzoagli D and Lorensoni M
Astacus astacus (Linneaus, 1758) populations significantly globally declined in the last decades and the species has been classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List. In 2022 a population of Astacus astacus was discovered in the Brcanj Stream, a chalk stream located in a karst polje in the Blidinje Nature Park (Bosnia and Herzegovina) during investigation for the NaturBosnia project. With the aim of expanding knowledge on this species a total of 226 crayfishes were sampled with electrofishing during three sampling campaigns between 2023 and 2024; individuals were sexed and cephalothorax length (CL), total length (TL) and weight (W) were measured to assess age-class distribution and determinate the length-weight relationship (LWR). Cohorts were estimated by Bhattacharya's method based on the CL frequency distribution data using the software FiSAT II. Individuals with one or both claws missing were excluded from the LWR analyses and the equation was estimated separately for both sexes. There was no significant difference in the LWR between sexes, and the relationships for the total sample showed a positive allometric growth (b>3). The population was numerous and composed predominantly of younger individuals: the scarcity of individuals composing older age classes could be due to overharvesting, observed during our fieldwork. A. astacus is native in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but this is the first record of its presence in this area, so the origin of this population should be clarified to broaden knowledge on the real distribution of the species.
Poster Presentations
General Assembly
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