Biological invasion of the non-indigenous blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 and its symbionts in a « One Health » context in Moroccan coastal environments: effects on native biodiversity, associated marine diseases, and risks for human health (R-13397)

Invasive non-native species are globally among the biggest threats to biodiversity in general, and marine biodiversity in particular. In the North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean area, the blue crab arrived from the Western Atlantic Ocean just over a century ago, and became one of the worst invasive species. In Morocco, however, it was observed only recently. Like for many other invasive species, their parasites are hardly taken into account. However, a "One Health" integrated approach of human, animal, and environmental health teaches us that these could pose serious risks to the health of other marine animals, and of human consumers. We will study the blue crab and its interactions with parasites in Morocco. An introductory literature review and metaanalysis of invasive non-native species in a One Health context, and of the parasitology of blue crab, will allow us to propose research needs and priorities. In a first part of the thesis, the introduction mechanism and its consequences on the ecology and genetics and genomics of blue crab in Morocco will be investigated. As a second part, through collaboration with several Mediterranean and American institutions, the parasite fauna of blue crab will be compared between regions where it is native and introduced, and between introduced blue crab and native Moroccan crab species, to test for parasite co-introduction and transmission. Taken together, this PhD aims to provide a model framework for a One Health approach of invasive non-native species of policy importance to aquatic social-ecological systems.

Keywords:Invasive non-native species

Disciplines:Invasion biology, Marine ecology, Biogeography and phylogeography, Parasitology, Aquatic biology

Project type:Collaboration project