Mutant Crayfish Escaped from German Aquarium Have Grown into an Invasive Army of Clones

Greedy pests mutated in a German aquarium marching across the globe without the need for sexual reproduction sound like science fiction. However, a genetic study has revealed that the growing number of female members of the river crayfish army originates from individuals produced without males, writes Guardian.

Clones of freshwater crayfish are considered an invasive species threatening endemic wildlife, while simultaneously aiding scientists in understanding the spread of tumor cells.

Researchers were surprised by the reproductive success and extraordinary adaptability of marble crayfish, genetically identical to wild crayfish inhabiting various habitats, which have spread worldwide from Madagascar and Japan to Sweden, Germany, and even Croatia.

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The first habitat of this species was in a German aquarium; however, in 1995, due to an accident, they ended up in the wild and spread across the globe.

This omnivore that destroys ecosystems inhabits all freshwater areas and poses a significant threat to other crayfish species. According to scientists, the marble crayfish could wipe out seven native crayfish species.

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center used genomic sequencing and comparative studies conducted on individual animals that prove all female offspring of the marble crayfish are genetically identical.

In the second part of the study, researchers examined how effectively crayfish can reproduce in the wild through parthenogenesis, a natural form of asexual reproduction.

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Scientists hope that the adaptability of the invasive river crayfish will clarify how tumor cells adapt to their environment by developing resistance to drugs. Epigenetic mechanisms act as switches that can turn genes on or off, allowing both crayfish and tumor cells to adapt to various habitats.