Characteristics and movement patterns of a recently established invasivePacifastacus leniusculuspopulation in the river Mura, Croatia

Abstract

The presence of the signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, in waterbodies of Europe is of high concern due to its potentially major ecological impact on invaded ecosystems and native crayfish. In this study, we examined population characteristics and spatial dynamics of a recently established signal crayfish population near the edge of its invasive range in the Mura river (Croatia), by analyzing population density, fecundity, and sex and size structure, as well as movement patterns. The obtained results revealed that the examined population is characterized by relatively low population density, balanced sex and size structure of adult crayfish, and high spatial activity of examined individuals, with an average daily movement of 28 m/day. Pleopodal fecundity was in a similar range to other signal crayfish populations in Europe. The large minimal size of caught mature females (85 mm total length), coupled with the estimated low population density (0.8-1.2 crayfish·m -2 ), suggested that the examined population has not reached its maximum density yet. Obtained results represent baseline information for the development of monitoring procedures and management strategies aimed at signal crayfish control within the Mura and Drava catchments and also highlight the importance of understanding local factors controlling invasive species' population dynamics and productivity. RÉSUMÉ Caractéristiques et schéma de déplacement d'une population invasive de Pacifastacus leniusculus récemment installée dans la rivière Mura, CroatieLa présence de l'écrevisse signal, Pacifastacus leniusculus, dans les plans d'eau de l'Europe est très préoccupante en raison de ses impacts écologiques majeurs potentiels sur les écosystèmes envahis et les écrevisses indigènes. Dans cette étude, nous avons examiné les caractéristiques démographiques et la dynamique spatiale d'une population d'écrevisses signal récemment établie près de la limite de son aire d'invasion dans la rivière Mura (Croatie), en analysant la densité de population, la fécondité, le sexe et la structure en taille ainsi que les modes de déplacement. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé que la population examinée se caractérise par une densité de population relativement faible, un sexe ratio et une structure en taille des écrevisses adultes équilibrés et une forte activité spatiale

Continental-wide distribution of crayfish species in Europe: update and maps

“…As a consequence of introductions in Austria in the 1970s, signal crayfish invaded rivers Mura (in 2003) and Drava (in 2007) in Slovenia (Vrezec et al, 2013) and later (in 2008) was recorded for the first time in the Croatian part of the Mura (Maguire et al, 2008). Its expected invasion through the Drava river catchment (it has entered the Drava also from the Mura in Croatia; has the potential to spread into the vast majority of water bodies in Northeastern Croatia (Hudina et al, 2009(Hudina et al, , 2011. Furthermore, signal crayfish presence was recorded in 2012 in the Korana, a karstic river of the Sava river basin, where it has been deliberately introduced (Hudina et al, 2013).…”

Plastic Debris in the Stomach of the Invasive Signal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus from a Baltic Coastal River

“…Present results indicating relatively low plastic debris content in crayfish stomachs may be explained by animal behaviour and, to some extent, by the local environmental conditions. Specimens of the signal crayfish are characterized by their activity in the river manifested through burrowing behaviour and movement [37][38][39]. They may spend a long time in burrows or may migrate in both upstream and downstream directions, crossing sediments contaminated by plastics.…”

Physiological performance of native and invasive crayfish species in a changing environment: insights from Dynamic Energy Budget models

“… Data sources for each crayfish species: A. torrentium : Berger et al (2018) ; Maguire et al (2002) ; Maguire & Klobučar, (2011) ; Maguire et al (2005) ; A. astacus : ( Abrahamsson (1971) ; Basta (2014) ; Hudina et al (2011b) ; Maguire et al (2004) ; Policar et al (2004) ; Westman & Pursiainen (1982) ); P. leniusculus : ( Abrahamsson (1971) ; Belchier et al (1998) ; González et al (2010) ; Hudina et al (2011c) ; Kozák et al (2009) ; Martinsson (2011) ; Westman & Savolainen (2002) ; P. virginalis : ( Hossain et al (2019) ; Parvulescu et al (2017) ; Seitz et al (2005) ; Velisek et al (2014) ; Vogt (2010) ; Vogt et al (2019 , 2008 ); žižak (2015) . …”

“…Growth in length and weight, length-weight relationship, and fecundity as a function of length. Data sources: (a) and (b) Belchier et al ( 1998 ); (c) Abrahamsson ( 1971 ) (squares; dotted line) and Westman & Savolainen ( 2002 ) (triangles; solid and dashed lines); (d) Abrahamsson ( 1971 ), Hudina et al ( 2011c ) and Martinsson ( 2011 ). Relevant parameters for model predictions are given in Table 2 .…”