Neocaridina denticulata: A Decapod Crustacean Model for Functional Genomics

Abstract

A decapod crustacean model is needed for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying physiological processes, such as reproduction, sex determination, molting and growth, immunity, regeneration, and response to stress. Criteria for selection are: life-history traits, adult size, availability and ease of culture, and genomics and genetic manipulation. Three freshwater species are considered: cherry shrimp, Neocaridina denticulata; red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii; and redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. All three are readily available, reproduce year round, and grow rapidly. The crayfish species require more space for culture than does N. denticulata. The transparent cuticle of cherry shrimp provides for direct assessment of reproductive status, stage of molt, and tissue-specific expression of reporter genes, and facilitates screening of mutations affecting phenotype. Moreover, a preliminary genome of N. denticulata is available and efforts toward complete genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing have been initiated. Neocaridina denticulata possesses the best combination of traits that make it most suitable as a model for functional genomics. The next step is to obtain the complete genome sequence and to develop molecular technologies for the screening of mutants and for manipulating tissue-specific gene expression.

Resources and Recommendations for Using Transcriptomics to Address Grand Challenges in Comparative Biology

“…A decapod model in which functional genomics data are used to test physiological effects is necessary for linking genotype to phenotype. While alternative species have been considered, such as the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii and the redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus , Mykles and Hui (Mykles and Hui 2015) argue that the cherry shrimp, Neocaridina denticulata , possesses the best combination of traits to facilitate the development of functional genomic tools in decapod crustaceans (see below). We propose three major initiatives.…”

Occurrence of non-native red cherry shrimp in European temperate waterbodies: a case study from Hungary

“…For the reason that the temperature in the thermal pond reaches 24.1-31.6°C, which is an optimal temperature for reproduction of the red cherry shrimp (Nur and Christianus, 2013;Tropea et al, 2015), we assume that this reservoir is a primary source of shrimps in the locality. Alternatively, the continual occurrence of individuals in the Hejő brook suggests that the adaptability of at least some of the red cherry shrimp population towards lower temperatures and annual temperature fluctuation is higher than previously expected; Mykles and Hui (2015) noted that the red cherry shrimp grows and reproduces at room temperature. Even if Tropea et al (2015) experimentally found the highest proportion of ovigerous red shrimp females in water with a temperature of 28°C and Mykles and Hui (2015) suggested 22-25°C as optimum, we found some individuals in 11.8°C water.…”

“…Alternatively, the continual occurrence of individuals in the Hejő brook suggests that the adaptability of at least some of the red cherry shrimp population towards lower temperatures and annual temperature fluctuation is higher than previously expected; Mykles and Hui (2015) noted that the red cherry shrimp grows and reproduces at room temperature. Even if Tropea et al (2015) experimentally found the highest proportion of ovigerous red shrimp females in water with a temperature of 28°C and Mykles and Hui (2015) suggested 22-25°C as optimum, we found some individuals in 11.8°C water. Even if the water temperature influences the duration of the incubation period and the developmental time of embryos (Tropea et al, 2015), we suggest that some individuals are also able to reproduce in non-thermal natural waters in the temperate zone, and successive generations could become adapted to these conditions.…”

Guidelines for RNA-seq projects: applications and opportunities in non-model decapod crustacean species

“…RNAi technology (gene silencing) is now the go-to method for gene functional studies in decapod crustaceans and it has been already applied in some cases (Sagi et al 2013). Gene editing technologies, for example CRISPR/Cas9 technology, have emerged recently and hold great potential for functional annotation in decapod crustacean species (Mykles and Hui 2015).…”