Prevalence of the microsporidian parasite (Thelohania contejeani) in crayfish across Ohio watersheds
Abstract
The parasitic microsporidian, Thelohania contejeani, causes porcelain disease (PD) in crayfish. T. contejeani infects the host's muscle tissues, resulting in loss of movement and ultimately death. This pathogen was first reported from Ohio in 2019. Here, molecular methods were used to survey for T. contejeani across three Ohio watersheds, the Muskingum (N= 76), Ohio (N=6), and Maumee (N= 24) Rivers. Crayfish were collected between August and November in 2021. The crayfish were tested for pathogen presence using 95% ethanol preserved tail muscle tissue. Total genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from tissue using a Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit®. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) gene of microsporidia was amplified via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gDNA as template. Successful microsporidia amplifications then served as template in subsequent PCR reamplifications using primers specific for T. contejeani. Rates of infection were estimated by calculating the proportion of individuals positive for T. contejeani. A total of 10 crayfish tested positive for T. contejeani. In Symmes Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River, 67% of crayfish were positive for T. contejeani. In the Maumee River watershed, 31% of Ottawa River crayfish were positive for T. contejeani, while 18% were pathogen positive in Riley Creek. DNA sequencing will be used to confirm T. contejeani infection. Crayfish will also be DNA barcoded since species might be differentially susceptible to PD, information that could be utilized for future research and conservation efforts.
Prevalence of the microsporidian parasite (Thelohania contejeani) in crayfish across Ohio watersheds
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
The parasitic microsporidian, Thelohania contejeani, causes porcelain disease (PD) in crayfish. T. contejeani infects the host's muscle tissues, resulting in loss of movement and ultimately death. This pathogen was first reported from Ohio in 2019. Here, molecular methods were used to survey for T. contejeani across three Ohio watersheds, the Muskingum (N= 76), Ohio (N=6), and Maumee (N= 24) Rivers. Crayfish were collected between August and November in 2021. The crayfish were tested for pathogen presence using 95% ethanol preserved tail muscle tissue. Total genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from tissue using a Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit®. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) gene of microsporidia was amplified via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gDNA as template. Successful microsporidia amplifications then served as template in subsequent PCR reamplifications using primers specific for T. contejeani. Rates of infection were estimated by calculating the proportion of individuals positive for T. contejeani. A total of 10 crayfish tested positive for T. contejeani. In Symmes Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River, 67% of crayfish were positive for T. contejeani. In the Maumee River watershed, 31% of Ottawa River crayfish were positive for T. contejeani, while 18% were pathogen positive in Riley Creek. DNA sequencing will be used to confirm T. contejeani infection. Crayfish will also be DNA barcoded since species might be differentially susceptible to PD, information that could be utilized for future research and conservation efforts.