BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF THE FUNGAL PATHOGEN BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS ON THE CRAYFISH HOST PROCAMBARUS ALLENI

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a parasite implicated in local and global amphibian declines. Although it is considered to be an amphibian specialist, co-occurring species such as the crayfish species Procambarus alleni and Procambarus clarkii have been identified as Bd hosts and potential vectors in the spread and transmission of Bd to amphibians. Procambarus alleni is a freshwater crayfish species native to Florida and popular in the aquarium trade due to its distinctive blue coloration. Although many behavioral and physiological studies have been conducted on the congener, Procambarus clarkii, an introduced species found in many niches throughout the United States, few comparative studies have involved P. alleni. Here, we have quantified the escape behavior kinetics of healthy, lab-reared and wild-caught P. alleni (juvenile and adult) using high speed videography and motion analysis. Kinetic parameters analyzed included velocity, acceleration, net to gross displacement ratios (NGDR), response latency, number of thrusts per response and total distance jumped. Further, we exposed wild-caught P. alleni to cultured Bd and quantified the behavioral effects 24 hours and 1 week following exposure. Data on the survival and behavioral changes of P. alleni could provide insight on the potential toxic effects of Bd and the tendency toward Bd transmission.