Evaluating Invasive Marbled Crayfish as a Potential Livestock for Sustainable Aquaculture

The marbled crayfish ( Procambarus virginalis ) is a recently discovered freshwater species, which reproduces by apomictic parthenogenesis, resulting in monoclonal, and all-female population. animals were widely distributed through the aquarium trade have established numerous stable wild populations anthropogenic releases. They are highly prevalent Madagascar, where they become popular source of nutritional protein. As aquaculture open systems thriving, but ecologically damaging global industry, alternatives urgently needed. Although often branded their invasive mode reproduction, overall invasiveness not higher than for other cultured species. Furthermore, resiliency high adaptability provide strong rationale evaluating them closed, environmentally safe approaches. Here we describe novel population former German coal mining area that characterized acid polluted water. Even under these adverse conditions, grew to sizes, weights comparable commercially farmed crayfish. Tailored feed development laboratory testing demonstrated efficient conversion, suggesting considerable capacity sustainable production closed systems. We further show meat can be readily introduced into European meals. Finally, chemical analysis exoskeletons revealed comparably amounts chitin, valuable synthesis chitosan bioplastics. Our results thus suggest may represent alternative aquaculture.