Ecological Characterisation of Streams in Tuscany (Italy) for the Management of the Threatened Crayfish Austropotamobius Pallipes Complex

Renai, B.; Bertocchi, Silvia; Brusconi, Sara; Gherardi, Francesca; Grandjean, Frédéric; Lebboroni, Marco; Parinet, Bernard; Grosset, Catherine Souty; Trouilhé, Marie-Cécile

doi:10.1051/kmae:2006013

Cited by 24 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Finally, our findings suggested that mortality in studied populations of A. pallipes is mainly due to natural causes (M=69% and 67% in males and females respectively), and only a portion is due to poaching. This result contrasts with data reported for Tuscany, where illegal fishing is one of the main causes of mortality for the species (Renai et al, 2006). All the studied populations are within European protected sites, Natura 2000.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 94%

Estimating age composition in Alpine native populations of Austropotamobius pallipes complex

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 94%

Estimating age composition in Alpine native populations of Austropotamobius pallipes complex

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Aphanomyces astaci; Gherardi and Holdich, 1999). Similarly to A. pallipes (Holdich and Reeve, 1991;Reynolds et al, 2002;but see Trouilhe´et al, 2006), Austropotamobius italicus is extremely sensitive to slight changes in environmental conditions, so that several authors classify it as a good bioindicator of water quality (Scalici and Gibertini, 2005;Renai et al, 2006). This study assessed the status of some populations of A. italicus in Central Italy by providing information about their size and structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Conserving indigenous crayfish: stock assessment and habitat requirements in the threatened Austropotamobius italicus

Brusconi¹,

Bertocchi²,

Renai³

et al. 2008

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT1. As part of the Austropotamobius pallipes species complex, the crayfish Austropotamobius italicus is a species of community interest whose preservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (Annex II, EU Habitats Directive). This study aimed at (1) assessing the conservation status of this threatened indigenous species by stock assessment in Central Italy and (2) identifying some aspects of its elective habitat.2. Surveys were conducted in nine streams harbouring A. italicus (streams WI) and in 10 streams where crayfish populations became extinct at least 5 years before the study (streams WO).3. The results confirmed that A. italicus is a K-selected species, with a relatively slow growth rate (males: 0.34; females: 0.37) and a long life expectancy (males: 8.2 years, females: 7.8 years). The extant populations are healthy, showing balanced sex-ratios and well structured age-class compositions. Mortality is mainly due to fishing, which is illegal in Tuscany.4. Principal Components Analyses showed that the streams WI and WO differ in the abundance of allochthonous plant detritus but not in the taxonomic composition of their macroinvertebrate communities. Age classes were found to be spatially segregated, juveniles mainly using cobbles as substrates and adults seemingly avoiding them.5. The loss of the pristine riverine landscape seems to have been responsible, together with illegal fishing, for the local extinction of the species. As a consequence, retaining, enhancing, and restoring the habitat and its complexity are required for the preservation of A. italicus.6. The designation of SACs might help in this endeavour if accompanied by programmes aimed at publicizing the need for conservation of this species. Unfortunately, crayfish-focused projects supported by LIFE in Italy since 1992 (4%) and the SACs involved (1.4%) have been relatively few, despite the poor conservation status of this species and its well recognized ecological role.

show abstract

“…For example, despite a growing acceptance that A. pallipes is not a strict bio-indicator of high water quality (Füreder and Reynolds, 2003), the heterogeneous nature of the habitat for crayfish must be maintained and enhanced, and water quality monitored in both rivers and lakes Renai et al, 2006). The bottom substrate and presence of morphological structures acting as hiding places, and the geographical isolation of the habitat seem to be of importance.…”

Section: > Suitability Of Target Habitatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current ideas on methodological approaches in European crayfish conservation and restocking procedures

Souty‐Grosset

Reynolds

2009

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key-words: conservation, management, indigenous crayfish species (ICS), restockingThe present paper deals with reintroductions or restocking as a management strategy for the indigenous crayfish species (ICS) in Europe. The suitability of the target habitat, the stocking material and the stocking procedure itself are paramount during any reintroduction measure: apart from general water quality and structural parameters, a suitable habitat is ideally geographically isolated from other surface waters and human activities such as intensive fishing pressure and agricultural practices. Genetics of stocking material must be considered. However, it is first essential to make sure that the target habitat is free of crayfish plague. Analyses of experiences gathered in various European countries indicate how difficult it is to get the best information as a basis for successful restocking and consequently the discussions recently conducted among European researchers and managers were aimed at achieving consensus and common strategies. RÉSUMÉ Idées actuelles sur les approches méthodologiques des procédures de conservation et de réintroduction des écrevisses européennes Mots-clés : conservation, gestion, écrevisses indigènes (ICS), réintroductionLe présent article considère les réintroductions en tant que stratégie de gestion des populations d'écrevisses indigènes (ICS) en Europe. La qualité de l'habitat receveur, le matériel donneur et la procédure de la réintroduction en elle-même sont de la plus haute importance : à part une bonne qualité de l'eau et des paramètres structurels, un habitat convenable est idéalement isolé géographiquement des autres eaux de surface et des activités humaines telles que la pêche intensive et les pratiques agricoles. Le statut génétique doit être obligatoirement considéré en termes des animaux à introduire. De plus, il est essentiel d'être sûr que l'habitat choisi est exempt de la peste de l'écrevisse. L'analyse des expériences de réin-troduction dans différents pays européens montre comme il est difficile d'obtenir une information sur la procédure la meilleure en termes de réintroduction réussie et les discussions récemment menées au sein des chercheurs et gestionnaires européens ont pour but d'accéder à des stratégies communes.

show abstract

Ecological Characterisation of Streams in Tuscany (Italy) for the Management of the Threatened Crayfish Austropotamobius Pallipes Complex

Cited by 24 publications

References 45 publications

Estimating age composition in Alpine native populations of Austropotamobius pallipes complex

Estimating age composition in Alpine native populations of Austropotamobius pallipes complex

Conserving indigenous crayfish: stock assessment and habitat requirements in the threatened Austropotamobius italicus

Current ideas on methodological approaches in European crayfish conservation and restocking procedures

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About