The Effects Of An Invasive Crayfish (Faxonius Cristavarius) On Native Symbiont Communities In The New River In North Carolina
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Mary Caitlin Massie (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
- Advisor
- Robert Creed
Abstract: A few species of branchiobdellidan worms engage in a mutualism with native crayfish hosts. Faxonius cristavarius, an invasive crayfish, is a noncompetent host of branchiobdellidans and will remove any worms that colonize it. The distributions of three native crayfish overlap with F. cristavarius in the North and South Forks of the New River in northwestern North Carolina. If F. cristavarius acts as a sink for these worms, this could reduce the fitness of native crayfish. In a field survey, branchiobdellidan abundance and richness on native Cambarus crayfish declined significantly in response to an increasing relative abundance of F. cristavarius. I also tested whether F. cristavarius caused changes in the abundance of symbiont worms on native Cambarus robustus after subjecting individuals to one of two treatments: 1) a control treatment consisting of a single C. robustus stocked with 5 worms placed with an unstocked C. robustus and 2) an experimental treatment consisting of a single, stocked C. robustus placed with an unstocked F. cristavarius. Significantly fewer worms remained on native crayfish in the presence of F. cristavarius. This research contributes to a greater understanding of potential impacts on populations and communities of native symbionts caused by the introduction of invasive hosts.
The Effects Of An Invasive Crayfish (Faxonius Cristavarius) On Native Symbiont Communities In The New River In North Carolina
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Created on 8/4/2023
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Massie, M. (2023). The Effects Of An Invasive Crayfish (Faxonius Cristavarius) On Native Symbiont Communities In The New River In North Carolina. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
- Language: English
- Date: 2023
- Keywords
- Branchiobdellidan symbiont communities in Boone, North Carolina, Crayfish hosts, Faxonius cristavarius is a noncompetent host of branchiobdellidans, Invasive species and indirect effects on native species, Decline in abundance and richness of branchiobdellidans