Procambarus clarkiiGirard as a vector for the crayfish plague fungus,Aphanomyces astaciSchikora

摘要

Abstract.Procambarus clarkiiGirard, a native freshwater crayfish species of Lousiana, USA, was found to harbour the crayfish plague fungus,Aphanomyces astaciSchikora, in its cuticle as a benign infection. Under certain conditions,P. clarkiidies as a result of this parasite, and theA. astaciinfection then becomes acute and can be transmitted toAstacus astacus(L.).Therefore, it is now shown that at least three different species of North American crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculusDana,Orconectes limosusRaff, andProcambarus clarkiiGirard) can carry the crayfish plague fungus,A. astaci, can transfer the disease to other crayfish species, and under certain circumstances can die of its own infection.