Naslov
Recent invasion of karst river systems in Croatia by the signal crayfish

Autori
Hudina, Sandra ; Žganec, Krešimir ; Lucić, Andreja ; Maguire, Ivana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of Abstracts IAA 19 / Füreder, Leopold - Innsbruck, 2012, 73-73

Skup
IAA 19 Symposium

Mjesto i datum
Innsbruck, Austrija, 26.08.2012. - 31.08.2012

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
freshwater invasion; karst rivers; signal crayfish; distribution; population size

Sažetak
Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) is one of the most successful crayfish invaders of European freshwater ecosystems. Until 2012, its distribution in Croatia was limited to the Drava river basin where it exhibits extremely high rates of downstream dispersal. In 2012 its presence was recorded in the karstic river of the Sava river Basin, the Korana River, where it has been deliberately introduced. This area hosts numerous populations of native crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus, A. astacus and Austropotamobius torrentium). In order to estimate the extent of this recent invasion and its potential threat to existing populations of native crayfish, we examined signal crayfish distribution in the Korana River and analyzed size and structure of recorded populations. Preliminary research showed that the current signal crayfish distribution in the Korana River is localized within 20 kilometers of its lower reach. The downstream end of its distribution range is less than 20 kilometers upstream from the confluence with the Mrežnica River. Thus, recorded signal crayfish invasion has a high potential to spread on a vast majority of surrounding water bodies. Recorded populations differed in relative population abundance, with the downstream populations exhibiting a higher catch per unit effort when compared to the populations at the upstream end of the distribution. Based on obtained data, we identified and prioritized native crayfish populations which are under immediate threat from signal crayfish spread. All obtained results are discussed in the context of potential management activities aimed at conservation of invaded karstic rivers and their native crayfish fauna.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA