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Evaluation of Three Monitoring Methods for the Native European Crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium
Auer S, Graf W, Hartmann A, Leitner P, Sint D, Traugott M and Auer S 
Published Online: 12/31/2023
Abstract
For the stone crayfish, a threatened species listed in the Habitats Directive in Annex II and V, three monitoring methods were evaluated: hand capture by day, hand capture by night and eDNA sampling respectively. The lack of a standardized sampling method in Austria and the simultaneous obligation to monitor and report on the status of protected species requires therefore an evaluation of the different techniques. However, data show that day sampling massively favored the observation of juveniles whereas night sampling obtained higher shares of adults and males. Moreover, organic layer primarily determines the applicability of hand capturing methods. If the share of organic layer exceeded 40%, night sampling was more effective. In brooks with low amount of organic layer, no notable divergences were found. eDNA sampling provided reliable presence-absence data but cannot fully replace hand capturing methods. Data indicate that eDNA detectability depends probably on the discharge level. Below 1.5 L·s-1 eDNA detection failed but provided reliable results in sections with a higher discharge regime. In summary, all three methods are appropriate for crayfish surveillance programs, but must be applied according to the sampling design appropriate for the research questions and with an awareness of their strengths and weaknesses.
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How to Cite
Auer S, Graf W, Hartmann A, Leitner P, Sint D, Traugott M and Auer S. (2023). Evaluation of Three Monitoring Methods for the Native European Crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium. Freshwater Crayfish 28(1):1-9. doi: 10.5869/fc.2023.v28-1.1
Author Information
Samuel Auer,* Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, Vienna, Austria1180. E-mail: samuelauer@gmx.at
Wolfram Graf, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, Vienna, Austria1180. E-mail: wolfram.graf@boku.ac.at
Anne Hartmann, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, Vienna, Austria1180. E-mail: anne.hartmann@boku.ac.at
Patrick Leitner, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna, Vienna, Austria1180. E-mail: patrick.leitner@boku.ac.at
Daniela Sint, Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria6020. E-mail: daniela.sint@sinsoma.com
Michael Traugott, Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria6020. E-mail: michael.traugott@sinsoma.com
Stefan Auer, Consultants in Aquatic Ecology and Engineering, blattfisch e.U., Leopold-Spitzer-Straße 26, Wels, Upper Austria, Austria4600. E-mail: auer@blattfisch.at
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 3/15/2023
Manuscript Accepted: 11/2/2023
Published Online: 12/31/2023
Published in Print: 12/31/2023
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.