First results about topoisomerase activity in Astacus astacus and Austropotamobius pallipes as a biomarker for crayfish viability

A comparative study of topoisomerase activity in two European crayfish species Astacus astacus and Austropotamobius pallipes was carried out to determine the physiological basis of the difference in ecological fitness of these systematically related crayfish species. Topoisomerase activity was present in both species. Adult males were kept for a week at the temperatures of 4, 15 and 25degreesC. Topoisomerase activity was measured in the hepatopancreas, the muscle tissue and the spermiducts. It was present in the hepatopancreas of Atacus astacus at the three tested temperatures and in Austropotamobius pallipes only at the temperatures of 4 and 15degreesC. No topoisomerase activity was registered in the muscle tissue and in the spermiducts. Taken together these data indicate that topoisomerase activity can be a useful marker for crayfish viability.