Abstract

Although the stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium, is one of the most threatened freshwater invertebrates in Europe, only scattered knowledge about its population characteristics and freshwater habitat exists. Thus, recently discovered populations in Carinthia (Austria) and their habitat conditions were characterized in small forest brooks near Millstätter Lake. We investigated population size and structure, together with abiotic and biotic features in three brooks: Weirerbach, Tschernbachl and St. Jakober Bachl. Sex, carapace length, weight and injuries were noted for every individual and its preferred habitat was determined. Based on the analysis of abiotic (morphology of the watercourses, physico-chemical parameters) and biotic parameters (macroinvertebrate fauna) our investigations suggest that the presence of A. torrentium is linked to intact natural water courses with a high heterogeneity of width, depth, current velocity and substrate. A high density of A. torrentium was correlated with high substrate variability and a well developed riparian vegetation cover. Correspondingly, a diverse fauna of larval Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera indicated good habitat quality. As indigenous crayfish are increasingly threatened by various reasons and conservation measures will become necessary, our results provide essential information for reintroductions and other activities to improve the situation for A. torrentium.

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