Feeding Preference of the Red Swamp CrayfishProcambarus clarkii(Girard) on Living Macrophytes in a Spanish Wetland

Abstract

We carried out field studies and laboratory experiments to investigate (1) the possible feeding preference of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii on living macrophytes, and (2) the influence that such a feeding preference can cause on the distribution and bundance of P. clarkii in wetland systems. Field studies, at two sampling areas of the Spanish wetland Tablas de Daimiel National Park (TDNP), showed that P. clarkii had significantly higher mean values of density and biomass at S-2 (with Chara hispida as the dominant macrophyte) than at S-1 (with Ceratophyllum submersum as the dominant macrophyte). Laboratory experiments showed that P. clarkii had a significant feeding preference for C. hispida versus C. submersum. Analyses of the biochemical composition of each macrophyte species showed that the unpreferred macrophyte (C. submersum) had higher amounts @er unit of biomass) of total protein, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and phenolic compounds than the preferred macrophyte (C. hispida). By contrast, C. hispida had more calcium per unit of biomass than C. submersum. Overall, we conclude that the presence of higher amounts of phenolic compounds in C. submersum might be the foremost factor responsible for the observed feeding preference of P. clarkii on living macrophytes in TDNP.

Feeding Preferences of the Invasive Crayfish, Procambarus Clarkii

“…As a confirmation of previous studies (ILHÉU and BERNARDO, 1995;BOLSER et al, 1998;CRONIN et al, 2002;CIRUJANO et al, 2004;GHERARDI and BARBARESI, 2008), our results show that P. clarkii is a selective feeder of fresh plants (Urtica in the three seasons examined, green algae in spring, and Polygonum in summer and autumn). A similar selectivity was observed, for instance, in a wetland of Spain where P. clarkii significantly preferred Chara hispida over Ceratophyllum submersum, despite their similar abundance in the study area (CIRUJANO et al, 2004).…”

“…A similar selectivity was observed, for instance, in a wetland of Spain where P. clarkii significantly preferred Chara hispida over Ceratophyllum submersum, despite their similar abundance in the study area (CIRUJANO et al, 2004). (LODGE and LORMAN, 1987), laboratory experiments (CHAMBERS et al, 1991;SAFFRAN and BARTON, 1993;NYSTRÖM and STRAND, 1996;GHERARDI et al, 2004), and controlled mesocosm studies HANSON et al, 1990).…”

“…A similar list was compiled by CIRUJANO et al (2004): the macrophyte preferred by P. clarkii (C. hispida) had a lower content of protein, nitrogen, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phenolic compounds than the unpreferred C. submersum, but a higher calcium content. To make the picture more complex, other factors may also be important in determining feeding decisions (GHERARDI, 2007).…”

The role of charophytes in a Mediterranean pond created for restoration purposes

“…However, although its abundance was not quantified, the exotic red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii Girard was common in the charophyte beds. Because this crayfish species has been found to feed preferentially on charophytes rather than higher plants (Cirujano et al, 2004), it might also have contributed to the charophyte decline. Grazing by herbivorous waterfowl is also known to cause significant disturbances to submerged vegetation (Matuszak et al, 2012).…”

Dinámica a largo plazo de las praderas de carófitos y los masegares en el humedal de Las Tablas de Daimiel (Ciudad Real, España): relación con las perturbaciones ambientales

“…Las perturbaciones tienen su origen principalmente en: (1) los intentos de desecación que tuvieron lugar entre los años 1967 y 1973; (2) la alteración del régimen hídrico original derivado de la sobreexplotación de las aguas subterráneas con fines agrícolas; (3) los incendios de diferente intensidad ocurridos en los años 1986, 1987, 1994 y 2009; (4) la contaminación del agua por sucesivos y reiterados vertidos de aguas residuales urbanas e industriales; (5) el aumento de la turbidez del agua derivado de la ausencia de vegetación sumergida; (6) la proliferación excesiva de especies introducidas consumidoras de este tipo de vegetación, como son carpas (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758), carpines (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758), cangrejo americano (Procambarus clarkii Girard, 1852) y, desde 2010, el pez gato (Ameiurus melas Rafinesque, 1820) (Álvarez Cobelas & Cirujano, 1996;Angeler et al, 2002Angeler et al, , 2003Cirujano et al, 2004;Sánchez Carrillo & Angeler, 2010;Laguna et al, 2016).…”