Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in Germany
Sound knowledge on distribution and ecology of imperiled species is an essential prerequisite for effective conservation planning. Here, we report the distribution and autecological traits of a newly discovered population of critically-endangered white-clawed crayfish (...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2015020 |
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doaj-6cf2e5cf180849b0b3c7c7ca1a4062062020-11-24T22:49:19ZengEDP SciencesKnowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems1961-95022015-01-0104162410.1051/kmae/2015020kmae150060Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in GermanyWendler F.0Biss R.1Chucholl C.2Biology I, University of FreiburgRegierungspräsidium Freiburg, Ref. 56 (Nature Conservation Agency), Bissierstr. 7Fisheries Research Station Baden-Württemberg (LAZBW), Argenweg 50/1Sound knowledge on distribution and ecology of imperiled species is an essential prerequisite for effective conservation planning. Here, we report the distribution and autecological traits of a newly discovered population of critically-endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small river in southwestern Germany. Using an established crayfish survey protocol, we detected white-clawed crayfish in a river stretch of 4.5 km, with an estimated abundance of 1.4 ± 0.2 indiv.·m-2. The sex ratio was even and sexual maturity was attained at approximately 25 mm carapace length (CL). Life-history traits, as assessed using Von Bertalanffy’s growth function, indicate a life history most similar to populations in France, with longevity, asymptotic size, and growth performance index being higher in males than in females (11 y, 46 mm CL, and 2.8 and 9 y, 41 mm CL, and 2.7, for males and females, respectively). Estimated fecundity ranged from 9 to 135 eggs·female-1 (mean: 90 ± 28). White-clawed crayfish were also found in lower reaches of small tributary streams, of which one also featured endangered stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium). A syntopic occurrence of both species was recorded for the first time within a short stretch. Implications for species conservation are discussed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2015020population dynamicsimperiled specieswhite-clawed crayfishstone crayfishAustropotamobius |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Wendler F. Biss R. Chucholl C. |
spellingShingle |
Wendler F. Biss R. Chucholl C. Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in Germany Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems population dynamics imperiled species white-clawed crayfish stone crayfish Austropotamobius |
author_facet |
Wendler F. Biss R. Chucholl C. |
author_sort |
Wendler F. |
title |
Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in
Germany |
title_short |
Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in
Germany |
title_full |
Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in
Germany |
title_fullStr |
Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in
Germany |
title_full_unstemmed |
Population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in
Germany |
title_sort |
population ecology of endangered white-clawed crayfish
(austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small rhithral river in
germany |
publisher |
EDP Sciences |
series |
Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |
issn |
1961-9502 |
publishDate |
2015-01-01 |
description |
Sound knowledge on distribution and ecology of imperiled species is an essential
prerequisite for effective conservation planning. Here, we report the distribution and
autecological traits of a newly discovered population of critically-endangered
white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes s. str.) in a small
river in southwestern Germany. Using an established crayfish survey protocol, we detected
white-clawed crayfish in a river stretch of 4.5 km, with an estimated abundance of
1.4 ± 0.2
indiv.·m-2. The sex ratio was even and
sexual maturity was attained at approximately 25 mm carapace length (CL).
Life-history traits, as assessed using Von Bertalanffy’s growth function, indicate a life
history most similar to populations in France, with longevity, asymptotic size, and growth
performance index being higher in males than in females (11 y, 46 mm CL,
and 2.8 and 9 y, 41 mm CL, and 2.7, for males and females, respectively).
Estimated fecundity ranged from 9 to 135 eggs·female-1 (mean: 90 ± 28). White-clawed crayfish were also found in lower reaches of small
tributary streams, of which one also featured endangered stone crayfish
(Austropotamobius torrentium). A syntopic occurrence of both species
was recorded for the first time within a short stretch. Implications for species
conservation are discussed. |
topic |
population dynamics imperiled species white-clawed crayfish stone crayfish Austropotamobius |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2015020 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT wendlerf populationecologyofendangeredwhiteclawedcrayfishaustropotamobiuspallipessstrinasmallrhithralriveringermany AT bissr populationecologyofendangeredwhiteclawedcrayfishaustropotamobiuspallipessstrinasmallrhithralriveringermany AT chuchollc populationecologyofendangeredwhiteclawedcrayfishaustropotamobiuspallipessstrinasmallrhithralriveringermany |
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