The occurrence of branchiobdellidans on stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) in the Czech Republic

• Main Authors: Vlach Pavel, Šrámková Lucie, Fialová Kateřina, Nováková Klára
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2017-01-01
• Series: Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
• Subjects: Austropotamobius torrentium; epibionts; branchiobdellidans; Czech Republic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2017028

The stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) is one of only two native crayfish species in the Czech Republic. Epibiotic branchiobdellidans present on this crayfish species have not been studied before in the Czech Republic. Here we evaluate the occurrence, and basic population characteristics of branchiobdellidans inhabiting A. torrentium in 12 small streams in the Czech Republic. Three Branchiobdella species were found: Branchiobdella parasita, and B. pentadonta dominated. B. hexadonta was found only exceptionally, as we did not focus on species inhabiting the gill chamber. The overall abundance varied between 0.3 and 17 individuals per crayfish. The mean length of B. parasita was 3.58 (1.1–7.1) mm, of B. pentadonta 2.00 (0.9–4.9) mm, and of B. hexadonta 1.73 (1.4–2.2) mm.