Abstract

The durability and harmfulness of two types of elastomer marks sold by Northwest Marine Technology® under the respective labels: 1) VI Alpha tag®, and 2) VIE tag®, were tested on endangered white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet). Tests were done on wild crayfish previously sampled in the field and kept in aquariums. After two months, an important reduction in legibility with the numbered tags (VI-Alpha tag) was observed, while coloured marks (VIE tag) remained fully legible after two months. Weight intake was generally lower in marked individuals regardless of marking density and mark type. Induced mortality was low (6%) with numbered tags (VI-Alpha tag), whereas it was significantly high (up to 33%) for coloured marks (VIE tag). We concluded that numbered tags (VI Alpha tag) could be used to mark large adult white-clawed crayfish in the wild for short-term studies, whereas coloured marks (VIE tag) are not recommended because they induce an unacceptable level of mortality over time.

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