Distribution of crayfish species in Austria with special reference to introduced species
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Abstract
In Austria three native crayfish species occur: the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus), the stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium), and the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes). The narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus), the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), the spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) and the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) have been introduced. Although A. astacus occurs throughout Austria, it is restricted to lakes and larger streams with many hiding places and the possibility to burrow in loamy banks. A. torrentium is the most frequent crayfish, inhabiting smaller running waters at higher altitudes. Isolated populations of A. pallipes are known only from the Gitschtal in the Carinthian Gail Basin (var. carinthiaca) and from the Tyrolean Plansee (var. trentinicus). The native species are endangered. Crayfish have been diminished by several causes, mainly by the spread of the crayfish plague fungus Aphanomyces astaci, river regulations, water pollution and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides. At about 1900, A. leptodactylus was introduced from eastern Europe, but it is restricted to some lakes and former limestone-quarries. The Nearctic P. leniusculus and O. limosus have been introduced since 1970 by crayfish farmers because these species are plague-resistant. As they can out-compete native species and carry infectious diseases, their introduction caused an additional reduction of autochthonous populations. P. clarkii is not known from the wild, but can be obtained from fish markets, restaurants, and the aquarium trade. Following the examples of some other European countries, in Austria the public shall be made aware with the problems caused by releasing non-native or alien crayfish.
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Pöckl M. (1999). Distribution of crayfish species in Austria with special reference to introduced species. Freshwater Crayfish 12(1):733-750. doi:
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