Marmorkrebs.org
Marmorkrebs are cloning crayfish
“Marmorkrebs” is an informal name given to marbled crayfish that were discovered by hobbyists in Germany in the late 1990s. “Marmorkrebs” roughly translates from German as “marbled crab.” The scientific name for Marmorkrebs is Procambarus virginalis (previously Procambarus fallax f. virginalis). They are an asexual relative of slough crayfish (Procambarus fallax) that live across Florida and southern Georgia in the United States. The only known cases of Marmorkrebs in the wild are where they have been introduced by humans.
Marmorkrebs are parthenogenetic: they are all females, and reproduce without sex. This is the only decapod crustacean found that reproduces only this way, giving it incredible potential as a model organism for research. Some of the advantages of Marmorkrebs are that they are genetically identical, reproduce at high rates, and are easy to care for.
Marmorkrebs are invasive
Marmorkrebs have been introduced and established populations in many countries. They can damage agriculture and threaten native species. Marmorkrebs should not be used for bait, kept in outdoor tanks or ponds (Marmorkrebs can migrate over land), or placed in any other situation where they could be released into natural ecosystems.
The European Union banned Marmorkrebs (i.e., possession, trade, transport, production, and release) and some other crayfish species in 2016. The United Kingdom kept this prohibition after its departure from the European Union in 2020.
Japan banned breeding and selling Marmorkrebs (and other crayfish species) in 2020.
In North America, Marmorkrebs are prohibited in:
Georgia, USA (since 2022)
Idaho, USA (since 2010)
Missouri, USA (since 2011)
Tennessee, USA (since 2015)
Michigan, USA (since 2020)
Ohio, USA (since 2020)
Saskatchewan, Canada (since 2020)
Ontario, Canada (since 2022)
Minnesota, USA (since 2024)
In 2022, one person in the US plead guilty to selling Marmorkrebs.
Recent research papers
Forthcoming
🔓 Kaur D, Das K, Kubec J, Buřič M. Stress conditions extend maternal care and delay juvenile development in crayfish. Current Zoology: in press. https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoae017
🆕 Kaur D, Khan A, Kubec J, Breithaupt T, Buřič M. Efficacy of administration routes in crayfish: Comparative analysis of intracoelomic and intrapericardial techniques using fluorescein dye. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology: in press. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jez.2872
2024 research papers
🔓 Burggren W, Martinez Bautista G, Göpel T, Padilla P. 2024. Lack of genetic variation in low heterozygosity and clonal animals creates lack of physiological variation. Physiology 39:S1. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiol.2024.39.S1.1477 (Abstract only.)
🔓 Das K, Roy K, Mráz J, Buřič M, Kouba A. 2024. Considerations for fatty acids in standardized reference diet for parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis model organism. Scientific Reports 14: 15933. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66268-7
Göpel T, Burggren WW. 2024. Temperature and hypoxia trigger developmental phenotypic plasticity of cardiorespiratory physiology and growth in the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish, Procambarus virginalis Lyko, 2017. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 288: 111562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111562
Heinz J, Wenninger M. 2024. Evaluation of immersion in emulsified isoflurane or propofol as part of a two-step euthanasia protocol in marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 55(2): 424-429. https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0137
Jurmalietis R, Grickus A, Elstina A. 2024. Marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) as a promising object for aquaculture industry. Conferences of Rezekne Academy of Technologies, Environment. Technology. Resources. 12th International Scientific and Practical Conference. June 27-28, 2024, “'Vasil Levski”' National Military University, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. https://conferences.ru.lv/index.php/ETR/ETR2019/rt/printerFriendly/3287/0 (abstract only)
Kaliberda A, Marenkov O, Kaliberda N. 2024. The use of albuvir to produce a life-sustaining young crayfish. In: Modern Scientific and Technical Research in the Context of Linguistic Space (in English): Conference materials of the III All-Ukrainian scientific and practical conference of young scholars and students. 355 pp. Dnipro: Bila K. O. https://www.dnu.dp.ua/docs/ndc/2024/materiali_konferenc/13.pdf#page=18
🔓 Musil M, Let M, Riebel M, Balzani P, Kouba A. 2024. Non-native three-spined stickleback, a small but voracious predator of invasive crayfish. Journal of Vertebrate Biology 73: 24060. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24060
🔓 Neculae A, Barnett ZC, Miok K, Dalosto MM, Kuklina I, Kawai T, Santos S, Furse JM, Sîrbu OI, Stoeckel JA, Pârvulescu L. 2024. Living on the edge: Crayfish as drivers to anoxification of their own shelter microenvironment. PLOS ONE 19(1): e0287888. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287888
🔓 Sánchez O, Oficialdegui FJ, Torralba-Burrial A, Arbesú R, Valle-Artaza JM, Fernández-González Á, Ardura A, Arias A. Procambarus virginalis Lyko, 2017: A new threat to Iberian inland waters. Ecology and Evolution 14(5): e11362. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11362
Sheppard NLM, Pham J, Ricciardi A. 2024. Influence of reproductive state and temperature on the functional response of the marbled crayfish, Procambarus virginalis. Biological Invasions 26: 9-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03166-5
🆕 Steen F, Scheers K, Abeel T, Claeyé J, Hermans V, Riascos Flores L, Maex B, Vermeylen M, Adriaens T. 2024. Preliminary assessment of the native benthic predators, burbot (Lota lota) and catfish (Silurus glanis), as biological control agents for marbled crayfish. Poster presented at IAA24 Symposium of the International Association of Astacology, 16-20 September 2024, Zagreb, Croatia. https://lirias.kuleuven.be/retrieve/776025 (PDF)
Thammatorn W, Kouba A, Nováková P, Žlábek V, Koubová A. 2024. Effects of diphenhydramine on crayfish cytochrome P450 activity and antioxidant defence mechanisms: First evidence of CYP2C- and CYP3A-like activity in marbled crayfish. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 285: 117035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117035
Toutain M, Soto I, Oficialdegui FJ, Balzani P, Cuthbert RN, Haubrock PJ, Kouba A. 2024. Ecological importance of crayfish claws in consumption of mobile benthic prey. Aquatic Sciences 86(4): 103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-024-01107-5
🔓 Veselý L, Balzani P, Haubrock PJ, Buřič M, Glon M, Ercoli F, Ruokonen TJ, Kainz MJ, Hämäläinen H, Kouba A. Species-specific trophic discrimination factors can reduce the uncertainty of stable isotope analyses. Hydrobiologia 851: 3471–3487. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-024-05513-6
🔓 Yanai Z, Guy-Haim T, Kolodny O, Levitt-Barmats Ya, Mazal A, Morov AR, Sagi A, Truskanov N, Milstein D. 2024. An overview of recent introductions of non-native crayfish (Crustacea, Decapoda) into inland water systems in Israel. BioInvasions Records 13(1): 195-208. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2024.13.1.17
2023 research papers
🔓 Arianoutsou M, Adamopoulou C, Andriopoulos P, Bazos I, Christopoulou A, Galanidis A, Kalogianni E, Karachle PK, Kokkoris Y, Martinou AF, Zenetos A, Zikos A. 2023. HELLAS-ALIENS. The invasive alien species of Greece: time trends, origin and pathways. NeoBiota 86: 45-79. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.86.101778
🔓 Artem O, Oleh M, Iryna H. 2023. Physiological and biochemical adaptations’ assessment of the marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis (Lyko, 2017) as an invasive specie (sic) of Ukraine. World Scientific News 182: 57-76. http://www.worldscientificnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WSN-182-2023-57-76.pdf (direct link to PDF)
🔓 Carneiro VC, Galil B, Lyko F. A voyage into the Levant: the first record of a marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis (Lyko, 2017) population in Israel. BioInvasion Records 12(3): 829-836. https://doi.org/10.3391/bir.2023.12.3.18
🔓 Faiad SM, Williams MA, Goodman M, Sokolow S, Olden JD, Mitchell K, Andriantsoa R, Jones JPG, Andriamaro L, Ravoniarimbinina P, Rasamy J, Ravelomanana T, Ravelotafita S, Ravo R, Rabinowitz P, De Leo GA, Wood CL. 2023. Temperature affects predation of schistosome-competent snails by a novel invader, the marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis. PLOS ONE 18(9): e0290615. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290615
Hamr P. 2023. First record of the marbled crayfish in Canada/North America. Crayfish News 45(1-2): 1, 3. https://www.astacology.org/docs/cn/CrayfishNews_45(1-2)_hr.pdf (Direct link to PDF)
Kaur D, Iqbal A, Soto I, Kubec J, Buřič M. 2023. Effects of chemical cues and prior experience on predator avoidance in crayfish. Presentation given to CrayfIT 2023 conference. https://crayfit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crayfit-Book-of-Abstracts.pdf (Abstract only.)
🔓 Kaur D, Iqbal A, Soto I, Kubec J, Buřič M. 2023. Effects of chemical cues and prior experience on predator avoidance in crayfish. Ecology and Evolution 13(8):e10426. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10426
🔓 Kor G, Mengal K, Buřič M, Kozák P, Niksirat H. 2023. Comparative ultrastructure of the antennae and sensory hairs in six species of crayfish. PeerJ 11: e15006. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15006
Kor G, Mengal K, Buřič M, Kozák P, Niksirat H. Granules of immune cells are the source of organelles in the regenerated nerves of crayfish antennae. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 137: 108787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108787
🔓 Legrand C, Andriantsoa R, Lichter P, Raddatz G, Lyko F. 2023. Time-resolved, integrated analysis of clonally evolving genomes. PLOS Genetics 19(12): e1011085. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011085
🔓 Lipták B, Zorić K, Patoka J, Kouba A, Paunović M. The aquarium pet trade as a source of potentially invasive crayfish species in Serbia. Biologia 78: 2147–2155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01347-0
Ložek F, Vojs Staňová A. 2023. A rare observation of conjoined twins in marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis. Presentation given to CrayfIT 2023 conference. https://crayfit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crayfit-Book-of-Abstracts.pdf (Abstract only.)
Mengal K, Kor G, Kouba A, Kozák P, Niksirat H. 2023. Hemocyte coagulation and phagocytic behavior in early stages of injury in crayfish (Arthropoda: Decapoda) affect their morphology. Developmental & Comparative Immunology 141: 104618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2022.104618
Mengal K, Kor G, Siino V, Buřič M, Kozák P, Levander F, Niksirat H. 2023. Quantification of proteomic profile changes in the hemolymph of crayfish during in vitro coagulation. Developmental & Comparative Immunology 147: 104760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2023.104760
🔓 Musil M, Let M, Roje S, Drozd B, Kouba A. 2023. Feeding in predator naïve crayfish is influenced by cues from a fish predator. Scientific Reports 13: 12265. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39406-w
Roy K, Das K, Petraskova E, Kouba A. 2023. Protein from whole-body crayfish homogenate may be a high supplier of leucine or branched-chain amino acids – A call for validation on genus Procambarus sp. Food Chemistry 427: 136728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136728
Roy RS. 2023. Identification of gap junction genes involved in the tail-flip escape circuit of marbled crayfish. MSc thesis, Illinois State University. Illinois State University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 30313359. https://www.proquest.com/openview/0976de027582da67e16ba85b62d594dc/1
Slusar M, Muzhenko A, Kovalchuk I, Borshchenko V, Verbelchuk T. 2023. Study of the embryonic period of female crayfish egg development in different species. Scientific Horizons 26(12): 22-31. https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor12.2023.22
Scheers K. 2023. The illegal trade of marbled crayfish in Belgium: an ongoing risk for further spread. Presentation given to CrayfIT 2023 conference. https://crayfit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crayfit-Book-of-Abstracts.pdf (Abstract only.)
Steen F, Scheers K, De Knijf G. 2023. Controlling Marbled Crayfish in an urban pond: a dual approach involving intensive trapping and predator introduction. Presentation given to CrayfIT 2023 conference. https://crayfit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crayfit-Book-of-Abstracts.pdf (Abstract only.)
Teesalu P, Maria-Muuga J, Hurt M, Kaldre K, Nõges T, Ercoli F. 2023. The role of temperature in marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis, Lyko 2017) invasion in Estonian freshwater ecosystem. Presentation given to CrayfIT 2023 conference. https://crayfit.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crayfit-Book-of-Abstracts.pdf (Abstract only.) Slide deck: https://dspace.emu.ee/server/api/core/bitstreams/9c9a5f04-fffc-4e21-b450-7c8b22650b94/content
🔓 Vogt G. 2023. Environmental adaptation of genetically uniform organisms with the help of epigenetic mechanisms—An insightful perspective on ecoepigenetics. Epigenomes 7(1): 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/epigenomes7010001
Vogt G. 2023. Epigenetics in Crustaceans. In: Piferrer F, Wang H-P (eds.), Epigenetics in Aquaculture, pp. 355-381. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119821946.ch16
🔓 Vogt G. 2023. Phenotypic plasticity in the monoclonal marbled crayfish is associated with very low genetic diversity but pronounced epigenetic diversity. Current Zoology 69(4): 426-441. https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoac094
2022
🔓 Boštjančić LL, Francesconi C, Rutz C, Hoffbeck L, Poidevin L, Kress A, Jussila J, Makkonen J, Feldmeyer B, Bálint M, Schwenk K, Lecompte O, Theissinger K. 2022. Dataset of the de novo assembly and annotation of the marbled crayfish and the noble crayfish hepatopancreas transcriptomes. BMC Research Notes 15(1): 281. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-06137-6
🆕🔓 Stein W, DeMaegd ML, Benson AM, Roy RS, Vidal-Gadea AG. 2022. Combining old and new tricks: The study of genes, neurons, and behavior in crayfish. Frontiers in Physiology 13: 947598. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.947598
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