METHOD FOR CAPTURING CRUSTACEANS

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to methods for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean, said method comprising delivering an effective amount of a semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine to an aquatic environment. The present invention also relates generally to a use of a semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Over recent years, there have been significant innovations in integrated pest management and the control of invasive species, such as insects. However, very few practical solutions have been developed for trapping and managing aquatic organisms, such as crustaceans. It is well documented that `pest' aquatic species such as crustaceans, fish and molluscs, negatively impact aquaculture, fisheries, ecosystem stability, biodiversity and general ecosystem services. Most research to date has focused on the detection and monitoring of these pest species, however, control and / or eradication methods lag behind substantially. For example, crustaceans are traditionally trapped using fish bait. Not only does this common method lack species specificity as it also traps non-target species, it uses valuable and expensive resources (such as squid and / or tuna), and potentially transfers diseases across the food-chain.

[0003] Key examples of invasive crustacean, fish and mollusc species include Carcinus maenas (shore crab), Potamocorbula amurensis (Asian clam) and Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout), which are all listed IUCN's invasive Species Specialist Group as the top 100 worst invasive species in the world. Shore crabs, also known as the green crab, are amongst the top 10 marine invasive / pest species, causing damage to mussel populations, juvenile fish and in general all smaller marine life that are considered as prey by the shore crabs. The shore crab is native to Europe and the North East Atlantic, with a wide distribution spanning from Scandinavia and northern Europe, throughout the Mediterranean and along the northern coast of Africa. However, the shore crabs have spread globally, into Australia, Canada, the USA and South America, resulting in ecological and economic damage to native ecosystems and local aquaculture industries such as clam, mussel, scallop and oyster farms. The invasiveness of shore crabs along the west coast of the USA has recently been highlighted by their relentless spread into Oregon, Washington and Canada, for example, in Vancouver Island where entire mussel populations were wiped out. Specifically, higher numbers of female shore crabs have been reported in nearshore habitats during reproductive periods, in salinities of about 13 ppt to about 53 ppt, and in temperatures of up to about 18 °C to about 26 °C.

[0004] It is known in the art that chemical signals and compounds are exchanged between organisms for the purposes of communication, for example, many animal species use similar or identical chemical compounds as sex attractants, often in the form of bouquets. Chemical communication is also widespread in aquatic species, particularly as other communication methods are often limited due to the complexity of the environment, e.g. poor light conditions, turbid waters, substrate and vegetation.

[0005] Among the crustacea, interspecific behavioural activity induced by female sex pheromones has been demonstrated in C. maenas and Macropipus depurator (see, for example: Seifert, P., Ophelia (1982) 21: 147-158), whereby males perform sexual behaviour towards a freshly moulted female of the other species. The existence of sex pheromones in crustaceans and its link with the moult of females has been described in a number of species including C. maenas (see, for example: Berrill, M. et al., Bull. Mar. Sci. (1982) 32: 632-638; Seifert (1982); Bamber, S. D. et al., J. Mar. Bio. Ass. UK (1996) 76: 691-699; Bamber, S. D. et al., Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. (1997) 44: 195-202; Hardege, J. D. et al., Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. (2002) 244: 179-189). Starting several days before the moult and up to a week after ecdysis, female shore crabs release sex-pheromones which attract males and induce mate guarding behaviour (see, for example: Bamber, S. D. et al., Mar. Behav. Physiol. (1996) 125: 483-488).

[0006] Hardege J. D. et al., Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. (2011) 436: 177-189, identified a crustacean sex pheromone, specifically the female signal produced by shore crabs from both conditioned seawater and female urine. Hardege et al., specified uridine diphosphate (UDP) as a major component of the female crab pheromone, which induced all key characteristics of male sexual behaviour at a threshold of 10 -5< mol / L UDP in seawater.

[0007] Bublitz R. et al., Behaviour (2008) 145: 1465-1478, also identified that in C. maenas, UDP was shown to be the primary female sex pheromone, and discussed that in other research (see, for example, Fletcher N., Behavioural complexities in the European shore crab, Carcinus maenas, PhD thesis, The University of Hull (2007) 1-130), the incorporation of nucleotide uridine triphosphate (UTP), when mixed in the ratio of 4:1, increases the mating response in male shore crabs. Bublitz et al., further demonstrated that the female sex-pheromone UDP is not species specific but is present and active in some other decapod crustaceans. However, whilst Bublitz et al. discusses and therefore discloses UDP:UTP in a 4:1 ratio as a mixture with high biological activity, there is no disclosure that this combination of pheromones could be used for trapping and managing species specific aquatic organisms.

[0008] J.D. Hardege ET AL: "Identification of a female sex pheromone in Carcinus maenas", MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES., vol. 436, 31 August 2011 (2011-08-31), pages 177-189, XP055743363 discloses the identification of the female sex pheromone in shore crabs (Carcinus maenas). Uridine diphosphate (UDP), a nucleotide accumulated from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine during chitin biosynthesis, is the major component of the female crab pheromone and induced all key characteristics of male sexual behaviour in bioassays (i.e. pre- and post-copulatory guarding of the female and initiation of mating).

[0009] FLETCHER N ET AL: "The cost of conflict: agonistic encounters influence responses to chemical signals in the European shore crab", ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, vol. 77, no. 2, 1 February 2009 (2009-02-01), pages 357-361, XP025894880 describes the behaviour of shore crabs towards chemical stimuli. To assess the effects of aggressive behaviour on the mating behaviours of male C. maenas, the synthetic pheromone UDP was used.

[0010] ZHANG DONG ET AL: "Characterization of a sex pheromone in a simultaneous hermaphroditic shrimp,Lysmata wurdemanni", MARINE BIOLOGY, vol. 157, no. 1, 16 September 2009 (2009-09-16), pages 1-6, XP036658275 discloses the identification of a shore crab sex pheromone different from the known pheromone Uridine-di-phosphate (UDP).

[0011] ASAI N ET AL: "Sex Pheromones of the Hair Crab Erimacrus isenbeckii. Part 1: Isolation and Structures of Novel Ceramides", TETRAHEDRON, vol. 56, no. 51, 15 December 2000 (2000-12-15), pages 9895-9899, XP004224021 describes possible pheromones of the brachyuran crab Erimacrus isenbeckii have been isolated by using a sponge assay from the water in which postmolt females had been maintained.

[0012] MATTIAS EKERHOLM ET AL: "Primer and Short-Range Releaser Pheromone Properties of Premolt Female Urine from the Shore Crab Carcinus maenas", JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY, vol. 31, no. 8, 1 August 2005 (2005-08-01), pages 1845-1864 discloses the identification of pheromones in the premolt female urine of the European shore crab (Carcinus maenas) using a polyurethane sponge behavioural assay.

[0013] WO2004 / 073394 provides compositions and methods for attracting premolting female blue crabs to traps for the purpose of obtaining soft shell crabs. The composition comprises eicosane / eicosanoids, docasane / docosanoids, tetracosane / tetracosanoids, nonacosane 9-octyl-heptadecane, pentatriacontane, hexatriacontane, 19-norpregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione, urs-12-en-28-ol, 1-tetradeacanamine, 4,4-dimethylcholestan-3-ol, nonadecenes, nonadecanes, 1,3-diethyl urea, androst-8-en-11-one, 3-benzoquinolinedione, asparagine, urethane, pentacosane / pentacosanoids, hexacosane / hexacosanoids, heneicosane / heneicosanoids, tricosane, octacosane, 1-hexadecene, 1,3-dimethyl-8-purin-2, 6-dione, imidazoloids, morphinanones, docosenes, heneicosenes, epinephrine, traicontane, quinoline, pyrazine, pregnadiene, 4,4-diemthylandrost-5-en-3.beta.ol or nortriptyline or any combination thereof.

[0014] US 5,133,959 discloses synthetic crustacean attractant compositions (including amino acids and derivatives thereof) useful as bait for crustaceans, especially crabs and lobsters.THE INVENTION

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean, said method comprising delivering an effective amount of a semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine to an aquatic environment.

[0016] In an embodiment, the method for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean comprises: (1) delivering the effective amount of the semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine to an aquatic environment; and (2) removing the trapped crustacean from the aquatic environment.

[0017] In an embodiment, step of delivering the effective amount of the semiochemical to an aquatic environment involves adding the semiochemical to a trap that allows the female crustacean to enter, but does not allow the female crustacean to escape.

[0018] In an embodiment, step of delivering the effective amount of the semiochemical to an aquatic environment involves adding the semiochemical to a trap that allows the female crustacean to enter, does not allow the larger female crustaceans to escape but allows smaller female crustaceans to escape.

[0019] In an embodiment, the method comprises delivering one semiochemical (i.e. no more than one semiochemical). In another embodiment, the method comprises delivering more than one semiochemical, for example 2, 3, 4 or 5 semiochemicals.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a semiochemical selected from the group consisting of 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean.

[0021] In an embodiment, the use comprises one semiochemical (i.e. no more than one semiochemical). In another embodiment, the use comprises more than one semiochemical, for example 2, 3, 4 or 5 semiochemicals.

[0022] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a delivery matrix comprising a carbohydrate derivative and at least one semiochemical for trapping and / or attracting and / or deterring at least one aquatic organism, e.g. a crustacean. The semiochemical is selected from the group consisting of 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine.

[0023] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix is a gel matrix.

[0024] In an embodiment, the carbohydrate derivative is a cellulose derivative. In an embodiment, the carbohydrate derivate may be selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, chitin, chitosan, hydroxypropyl cellulose or methyl cellulose. In an embodiment, the carbohydrate derivate may be selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, chitin, hydroxypropyl cellulose or methyl cellulose. It may be that the delivery matrix comprises more than one carbohydrate derivative, wherein the more than one carbohydrate derivative is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, chitin, hydroxypropyl cellulose or methyl cellulose. Preferably, the carbohydrate derivative is carboxymethyl cellu lose.

[0025] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix comprises a carbohydrate derivative, wherein the carbohydrate derivative is carboxymethylcellulose.

[0026] In an embodiment, the carboxymethylcellulose may be selected from low, medium, high or ultra-high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose. Wherein low viscosity carboxymethylcellulose has a viscosity of about 50 centipoise to about 200 centipoise (cps) in a 4% aqueous solution at 25 °C (about 90000 molecular weight average), medium viscosity carboxymethylcellulose has a viscosity of about 500 cps to about 800 cps in a 2% aqueous solution at 25 °C (about 250000 molecular weight average), high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose has a viscosity of about 1500 cps to about 3000 cps in a 1% aqueous solution at 25 °C (about 700000 molecular weight average), and ultra-high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose has a viscosity of about 1500 cps to about 4500 cps in a 1% aqueous solution at 25 °C (about 1000000 molecular weight average).

[0027] In an embodiment, the carbohydrate derivative is selected from one or more low, medium, high and / or ultra-high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose.

[0028] Optionally, the delivery matrix comprises medium viscosity carboxymethylcellulose.

[0029] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix may comprise the carbohydrate derivative in about 1% w / v to about 50% w / v, optionally about 5% w / v to about 25% w / v, optionally about 5% w / v to about 15% w / v, optionally about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15% w / v.

[0030] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix comprises a carbohydrate derivative in about 10% w / v.

[0031] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix comprises carboxymethylcellulose in about 10% w / v.

[0032] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix comprises medium viscosity carboxymethylcellulose in about 10% w / v.

[0033] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix may comprise one semiochemical (i.e. no more than one semiochemical). In another embodiment, the delivery matrix may comprise more than one semiochemical, for example 2, 3, 4 or 5 semiochemicals. Preferably, the delivery matrix comprises two semiochemicals.

[0034] In an embodiment, the female crustacean is selected from a pest species, invasive species and / or commercially trapped species. Optionally, the female crustacean is a pest and / or invasive species.

[0035] In an embodiment, the female crustacean is a non-pest species. Thus, the delivery matrix as described herein, may be used to attract female crustacean non-pest species.

[0036] Optionally, the female crustacean may be selected from crabs, lobsters, crayfish and shrimp. Optionally, the female crustacean may be selected from the group consisting of Cancer magister, Cancer pagurus, Homarus americanus, Homarus gammarus, Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon, Callinectes sapidus (blue crab), Necora puber (swimming crab), Maja brachydactyla (spider crab), Paralithodes camtschaticus (red king crab), Eriocheir sinensis (mitten crab), Panulirus (spiny lobster), Chionoecetes opilio (snow crab), Carcinus maenas (shore crab) and Paguroidea (hermit crab). Optionally, the female crustacean may be a pest and / or invasive crab species. Preferably, the pest and / or invasive crab species may be Carcinus maenas, also known as the shore crab, green crab, and / or green shore crab. Preferably, the pest and / or invasive crab species may be Paguroidea, also known as the hermit crab.

[0037] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix as described herein, may be used to attract and / or trap pest and / or invasive female crab species, preferably female shore crabs.

[0038] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix as described herein, may be used to attract and / or trap pest and / or invasive female crab species, preferably female hermit crabs.

[0039] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix comprises at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine in a concentration of between about 10 -2< mol / L to about 10 -6< mol / L, optionally about 10 -3< mol / L to about 10 -5< mol / L, or optionally about 10 -4< mol / L. It may be that the delivery matrix comprises 10 -4< mol / L of at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine.

[0040] As it will be appreciated, the concentration of semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine can be selected dependent on the size and number of aquatic organisms to be trapped.

[0041] In an embodiment, the delivery matrix is prepared in an aqueous solution. It may be that the aqueous solution is water. It may be that the water is seawater. It may be that the delivery matrix comprises an aqueous solution of a carbohydrate derivative and at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine. It may be that the delivery matrix comprises an aqueous solution of carboxymethylcellulose and at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine. It may be that the delivery matrix comprises an aqueous solution of medium viscosity carboxymethylcellulose and at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine. It may be that the delivery matrix comprises an aqueous solution of medium viscosity carboxymethylcellulose in about 10% w / v, and 10 -4< mol / L of at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine.

[0042] In an embodiment, the semiochemical is 2-phenylethylamine. In an embodiment, the semiochemical is dopamine. In an embodiment, the semiochemical is 2-phenylethylamine and the crustacean is a female Carcinus maenas (shore crab). In an embodiment, the semiochemical is dopamine and the crustacean is a female Carcinus maenas (shore crab).

[0043] In an embodiment, a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned semiochemicals is used in the method, use or delivery matrix of the present invention. It may be that the ratio of any of the above semiochemicals is between about 10:1 to about 1:1, optionally between about 6:1 to 2:1, or preferably about 4:1. It may be that the ratio of any of the above semiochemicals is between about 1:10 to about 1:1, optionally between about 1:6 to about 1:2, or optionally about 1:4 to about 1:3.

[0044] In an embodiment, there is provided a delivery matrix comprising about 1% w / v to about 50% w / v of carbohydrate derivative, preferably 10% w / v carboxymethylcellulose, and 10 -2< mol / L to about 10 -6< mol / L of at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine, prepared in water, for trapping at least one aquatic organism, preferably pest and / or invasive female shore crabs.

[0045] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a delivery matrix as defined herein, which may be adapted for controlled time-release of the at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted for controlled time-release of the at least one semiochemical up to about 168 h. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted to release the at least one semiochemical at about 12 h. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted to release the at least one semiochemical at about 24 h. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted to release the at least one semiochemical at about 48 h. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted to release the at least one semiochemical at about 168 h. It may be that the delivery matrix is not adapted for controlled time-release of the at least one semiochemical. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted for continuous release of the at least one semiochemical. It may be that the delivery matrix is adapted for controlled time-release at one or more time points, of the at least one semiochemical.

[0046] It may be that the delivery matrix as defined herein, is adapted for controlled time-release of the at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine, by altering the viscosity of the carbohydrate derivative, wherein the carbohydrate derivative may be selected from at least one of low, medium, high or ultra-high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose. It may be that the delivery matrix which is adapted for controlled time-release of the at least one semiochemical, comprises medium viscosity carboxymethylcellulose.

[0047] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a delivery matrix as defined herein, for use in aquatic environments. It may be that the pH of the aquatic environment is between about pH 6.5 to about pH 8.5, optionally between about pH 7.0 to about pH 8.0, or optionally between about pH 7.5 to about pH 8.0.

[0048] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a delivery matrix as defined herein, for use in aquatic environments. It may be that the temperature of the aquatic environment is between about 10 °C to about 25 °C, optionally about 14 °C to about 21 °C, or optionally about 16 °C to about 18 °C.

[0049] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a tablet formulation comprising a delivery matrix as described herein. It may be that the tablet formulation of the delivery matrix is encased in a sugar coating.

[0050] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a method for preparing a delivery matrix as described herein, wherein the delivery matrix is frozen at about less than 0 °C, optionally about -20 °C, for about 2 h, and then lyophilised for about 12 h.

[0051] The delivery matrices as disclosed herein can be stored at less than 0 °C, preferably about -20 °C, for up to about 24 months. It may be that the delivery matrices can be stored at about -20 °C for up to about 18 months. It may be that the delivery matrices can be stored at about -20 °C for up to about 12 months. It may be that the delivery matrices can be stored at about -20 °C for up to about 6 months. It may be that the delivery matrices can be stored at about -20 °C for any time up to about 6 months.

[0052] Also provided herein, but not forming part of the claims, is a method of preparing a delivery matrix as described herein, the method comprising the steps of: A) mixing the carbohydrate derivative, the at least one semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine and water until thoroughly combined; B) aliquoting the delivery matrix mixture resulting from step A) to an individual mould; and C) freezing the delivery matrix mixture resulting from step B).

[0053] Optionally, it may be that step B) comprises aliquoting about 1 mL of the delivery matrix mixture resulting from step A) to an individual mould. Optionally, it may be that step C) comprises freezing the delivery matrix mixture resulting from step B) at about -20 °C. Optionally, it may be that step C) comprises freezing the delivery matrix mixture resulting from step B) at about -20 °C for about 2 h. Optionally, it may be that the method of preparing a delivery matrix according to the preceding paragraph further comprises step D), wherein step D) comprises lyophilising the frozen delivery matrix resulting from step C). Optionally, it may be that step D) further comprises lyophilising the frozen delivery matrix resulting from step C) for about 12 h.

[0054] The following definitions shall apply throughout the specification and the appended claims.

[0055] The articles "a" and "an" as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

[0056] The phrase "and / or," as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more of" the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0057] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should he understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall he interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of."

[0058] The term "about", as used herein, in association with numeric values or ranges, reflects the fact that there is a certain level of variation that is recognised and tolerated in the art due to practical and / or theoretical limitations. For example, minor variation is tolerated due to inherent variances in the manner in which certain devices operate and / or measurements are taken. In accordance with the above, the phrase "about" is normally used to encompass values within the standard deviation or standard error.

[0059] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise", "comprising", "consisting of", "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other active ingredients, moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0060] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from anyone or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a nonlimiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or, equivalently "at least one of A and / or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0061] It should also be understood that, in certain methods described herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0062] The term "effective" can mean, but is in no way limited to, that amount / dose of the active ingredient, which, when used in the context of its intended use, effectuates or is sufficient to have an appropriate effect (e.g. prevent, inhibit the occurrence, ameliorate, delay or stop) on its intended subject. The term effective subsumes all other effective amount or effective concentration terms, e.g., "effective amount / dose", which are otherwise described or used in the present application.

[0063] As used herein, unless defined otherwise in a claim, the term "optionally" means that the subsequently described event(s) may or may not occur, and includes both event(s) that occur and event(s) that do not occur.

[0064] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

[0065] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0066] Particular non-limiting examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0067] Figures 1 and 2 show bar charts showing the difference in attraction by male and female Carcinus maenas to PEA at two different molecular concentrations. N=15 Shorecrabs tested per sex. The bars in each sex tested are presented in the order Attracted, No Response.EXPERIMENTALExample 1:

[0068] A lightweight translucent plastic storage container [500mm length / 320mm width / 150mm height] was used as a tank, containing 10 litres of artificial seawater at a pH of 8.1 / temperature 15-16°C (to emulate current ocean pH and the acclimated temperature of specimens respectively). The exterior of the tank was wrapped in black duct tape up to the water level to ensure specimens cannot see the external environment (thus reducing cofounding environmental factors).

[0069] A sample of 30 crabs (15 male / 15 female Carcinus maenas) was used. In each test, a single specimen was placed into the centre of the tank, held under a custom-made container (plastic box) and given no longer than 2 minutes to acclimatise (to ensure water pH is not affected by CO 2 levels from specimens' respiration / waste products). 1ml of test solution [either; control (artificial seawater), positive cue (mussel meat pulp), or potential negative cue (injury / predator / alarm cue), or test sample as described below] was pipetted onto a small piece of sponge approximately 30mmx30mm, held within a stainless steel tea strainer (to ensure sponge does not float) and placed into one side of the tank (either 'Point A' or 'Point B', alternating sides between positive / negative / controls that are being tested in repeat tests to ensure there is no preference to one side of the tank). The central container was removed and the specimens' behaviour towards the sponges at each marked point was visually observed and timed using a stopwatch, over a time period of 5 minutes per test, with behaviour graded using the following numerical key:Key:

[0070] 1 = Ignore 2 = Avoid / Move Away 3 = Investigate 4 = Attack / Take / Taste

[0071] In the event of a majority 'behaviour 2' to either cue from specimens, a follow-up experiment using the same setup and method was carried out, using a solution consisting of a mix of positive (feeding) and negative (alarm) cues, to determine if the negative is sufficient to deter feeding / attraction. The ratio of 'positive' to 'negative' in this mix can be adjusted with each subsequent test with the objective being the avoidance of Point B by specimens with a starting location of Point A, despite the presence of food.Field Trial 3: 2-phenylethylamine

[0072] These data show (see Figures 1 and 2) that PEA is a sex specific attractant for mature female crabs whilst males ignore it. 12 of the 15 females (80%) tested were attracted at PEA 10 -4< M whilst only 3 of 15 males (20%) were. 11 of the 15 females (73.3%) tested were attracted at PEA 10 -6< M whilst only 3 of 15 males (20%) were. This shows a 6.7% drop in attractiveness from females at the lower concentration, but still significantly higher than male attraction.

[0073] For statistical analysis, a Fisher's exact test is used due to small sample sizes of 15 x2 =30 individuals.

[0074] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and / or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A method for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean, said method comprising delivering an effective amount of a semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine to an aquatic environment.

2. The method of claim 1 which comprises: (1) delivering the effective amount of the semiochemical selected from the group consisting of: 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine to an aquatic environment; and (2) removing the trapped female crustacean from the aquatic environment.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the step of delivering the effective amount of the semiochemical to an aquatic environment involves adding the semiochemical to a trap that allows the female crustacean to enter, but does not allow the female crustacean to escape.

4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the step of delivering the effective amount of the semiochemical to an aquatic environment involves adding the semiochemical to a trap that allows the female crustacean to enter, does not allow the larger female crustaceans to escape but allows smaller female crustaceans to escape.

5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the female crustacean is selected from the group consisting of Cancer magister, Cancer pagurus, Homarus americanus, Homarus gammarus, Penaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon, Callinectes sapidus (blue crab), Necora puber (swimming crab), Maja brachydactyla (spider crab), Paralithodes camtschaticus (red king crab), Eriocheir sinensis (mitten crab), Panulirus (spiny lobster), Chionoecetes opilio (snow crab), Carcinus maenas (shore crab) and Paguroidea (hermit crab).

6. The method of any preceding claim wherein the semiochemical is 2-phenylethylamine.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the semiochemical is dopamine.

8. The method of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the female crustacean is a Carcinus maenas (shore crab).

9. A use of a semiochemical selected from the group consisting of 2-phenylethylamine and dopamine for trapping and / or attracting a female crustacean.