Crayfish plague, caused by Aphanomyces astaci, is responsible for the decline and extinction of native crayfish populations in Switzerland and Europe. The disease is listed as reportable disease. A. astaci was introduced from North American crayfish imports, which do not show disease signs. Five genotypes (A, B, C, D and E) are described, showing different virulence in European crayfish. The current diagnostic method used at FIWI has limitations in sensitivity and cannot differentiate various genotypes. A recent methodological development has the potential to overcome this sensitivity issue and enabling genotyping.
The aim of the proposed project is to optimize and complement current diagnostic methods used at FIWI by testing and establishing state-of-the art methods for identification of A. astaci genotypes. Knowledge about distribution of genotypes will help to understand past, present and future spread scenarios. The new protocols will also allow to predict outcome scenarios of crayfish plague outbreaks and molecular epidemiology of the disease in Switzerland.
