Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral community
The demise of Britain’s only native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet)) has prompted conservation-led translocations to safe isolated stillwaters (Ark sites). Many translocations represent introductions rather than re-stocking; hence it is important to en...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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EDP Sciences
2013-06-01
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| Series: | Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2013047 |
| _version_ | 1811264340845658112 |
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| author | Rosewarne P.J. Mortimer R.J.G. Dunn A.M. |
| author_facet | Rosewarne P.J. Mortimer R.J.G. Dunn A.M. |
| author_sort | Rosewarne P.J. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The demise of Britain’s only native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes
(Lereboullet)) has prompted conservation-led translocations to safe isolated
stillwaters (Ark sites). Many translocations represent introductions rather than
re-stocking; hence it is important to ensure that there will not be a detrimental impact
on communities already present. Current knowledge is insufficient to predict likely
effects, although gut contents analyses suggest that A. pallipes is
omnivorous and exhibits ontogenic diet shifts. A mesocosm study was conducted with the aim
to first, determine community impacts of introducing A. pallipes on the
benthic invertebrate community, and second investigate if impacts vary with crayfish
life-stage. All crayfish life-stages strongly reduced shredder and grazer abundance,
particularly thin-shelled Lymnaea snails. The small snail Physa
fontinalis was preferentially consumed by juveniles, perhaps reflecting
different prey-handling ability. Adults showed greater reliance on terrestrially derived
detritus compared to juveniles. There were limited effects on other trophic levels,
although by reducing shredders that process basal resources, crayfish impacts may be felt
through the community in the long-term. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:02:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7983e5f778a14a46946bcda988faa087 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1961-9502 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:02:27Z |
| publishDate | 2013-06-01 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |
| spelling | doaj.art-7983e5f778a14a46946bcda988faa0872022-12-22T03:18:30ZengEDP SciencesKnowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems1961-95022013-06-0104090610.1051/kmae/2013047kmae130021Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral communityRosewarne P.J.0Mortimer R.J.G.1Dunn A.M.2School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsSchool of Earth and Environment, University of LeedsSchool of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsThe demise of Britain’s only native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet)) has prompted conservation-led translocations to safe isolated stillwaters (Ark sites). Many translocations represent introductions rather than re-stocking; hence it is important to ensure that there will not be a detrimental impact on communities already present. Current knowledge is insufficient to predict likely effects, although gut contents analyses suggest that A. pallipes is omnivorous and exhibits ontogenic diet shifts. A mesocosm study was conducted with the aim to first, determine community impacts of introducing A. pallipes on the benthic invertebrate community, and second investigate if impacts vary with crayfish life-stage. All crayfish life-stages strongly reduced shredder and grazer abundance, particularly thin-shelled Lymnaea snails. The small snail Physa fontinalis was preferentially consumed by juveniles, perhaps reflecting different prey-handling ability. Adults showed greater reliance on terrestrially derived detritus compared to juveniles. There were limited effects on other trophic levels, although by reducing shredders that process basal resources, crayfish impacts may be felt through the community in the long-term.http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2013047crayfishmesocosmontogenic diet-shiftAustropotamobius pallipesconservation |
| spellingShingle | Rosewarne P.J. Mortimer R.J.G. Dunn A.M. Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral community Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems crayfish mesocosm ontogenic diet-shift Austropotamobius pallipes conservation |
| title | Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral
community |
| title_full | Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral
community |
| title_fullStr | Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral
community |
| title_full_unstemmed | Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral
community |
| title_short | Size-dependent impacts of the endangered white-clawed crayfish
(Austropotamobius pallipes) (Lereboullet) on the littoral
community |
| title_sort | size dependent impacts of the endangered white clawed crayfish austropotamobius pallipes lereboullet on the littoral community |
| topic | crayfish mesocosm ontogenic diet-shift Austropotamobius pallipes conservation |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2013047 |
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