Abstract
Introductions of crayfish species from their home range to new environments have been carried out in many parts of the world. The most important introduced crayfish species are Procambarus clarkii, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Cherax destructor, C. quadricarinatus, Orconectes limosus, O. rusticus and Astacus leptodactylus. The environmental impact of crayfish introductions can be positive, negative or neutral. However, native crayfish populations in Europe have been negatively affected by introductions of non-indigenous crayfish species from America. Negative effects of non-native crayfish introductions included displacement of native crayfish species, transfer of disease (crayfish plague), consumption of fish eggs, reduction of fish stocks, consumption of large amounts of macrophytes, indirect and direct effects on other invertebrates and upsetting production in rice fields. As a result of non-native crayfish introductions, the natural harvest and crayfish industry in Europe have been severely affected. Large quantities of Turkish A. leptodactylus were harvested (approximately 7,000 tonnes annually) and exported to Europe before the crayfish plague was observed in these populations. The total harvest of A. leptodactylus in Turkey reduced dramatically to 320 in 1991 after the plague. Therefore, although Turkey currently has no known non-native crayfish species, there is a threat of non-native crayfish introduction in order to increase crayfish productions and subsequent harvest. The North American spiny-cheek crayfish, O. limosus, has been spreading quickly down the River Danube and could soon reach neighboring countries including Turkey. The North American signal crayfish, P. leniusculus is known from Greece and could be a threat to native stocks if it is introduced into Turkey for aquaculture. Additional threats may come from the release of other North American species, which are widely available through the aquarium trade. We conclude that the spread of non-native crayfish introductions throughout Turkey will increase local problems, because introductions of non-native crayfish in many parts of the world have been known to have caused important reductions in population density and numbers of native crayfish species. Furthermore, freshwater ecosystems may be altered by such introductions and the economic viability of native crayfish species fisheries could be severely reduced in Turkey.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ackefors H (1998) The culture and capture crayfish fisheries in Europe. World Aquacult 29(2):18–24; 64–67
Ackefors H (1999) The Positive Effects of Established crayfish Introductions in Europe. In: Gherardi F, Holdich DM (eds) Crayfish in Europe as alien species. how to make the best of a bad Situation? Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield, pp 49–61
Ackefors H (2000) Freshwater crayfish farming technology in the 1990s: a European and global perspective. Fish Fish 1:337–359
Anonymous (2004) The official newspaper of the Government, No: 25507, 29 June, 2004. Ankara, Turkey
Anonymous (2005) Fisheries statistics of prime ministry state planning organization. Republic of Turkey, Ankara
Arrignon JCV (1997) Status of foreign crayfish in France. Freshw Crayfish 11:665–670
Aydın H, Dilek MK (2004) Effects of different water temperatures on the hatching time and survival rates of Freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Esch., 1823) eggs. Turkish J Fish Aquat Sci 4:75–79
Baran İ, Soylu E (1989) Crayfish plague in Turkey. J Fish Dis 12:193–197
Bolat Y (2001) An estimation in the population density of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus salinus Nordman 1842) living in Hoyran Area of Eğirdir Lake, Isparta, Turkey. PhD thesis (In Turkish with English summary), The University of Süleyman Demirel, Turkey, 116 pp
D’agaro E, De Luise G, Lanari D (1999) The current status of crayfish farming in Italy. Freshw Crayfish 12:506–517
Diler Ö, Bolat Y, Kuşat M (1999) An epidemiological study on the fungal disease of Astacus leptodactylus slinus Nordmann, 1842 in Eğirdir Lake. (In Turkish with English summary). Süleyman Demirel üniversitesi Eğirdir Su ürünleri Fakültesi Dergisi 6:1–17
Erençin Z, Köksal G (1977) On the crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus, in Anatolia. Freshw Crayfish 3:187–192
FAO (2005) Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI). Available at: http://www.fao.org/fi/statist/FISOFT/FISHPLUS.asp
Fonseca JC, Marques JC, Madeira CM (1996) Oxygen uptake inhibition in Procambarus clarkii, red swamp crayfish, by biogradable surfactants: An ecotechnolocigal approach for population control in rice fields. Freshw Crayfish 11:235–242
Gherardi F, Holdich DM (1999) Crayfish in Europe as non-native species - how to make the best of a bad situation. Crustacean Issues 11. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam. ISBN 90 5410 469 4, 299 pp
Gutierrez-Yurrita P, Martinez JM, Bravo-Utrera MA, Montes C (1999) The status of crayfish populations in Spain and Portugal. In: Gherardi F, Holdich DM (eds) Crayfish in Europe as Non-native Species – How to make the best of a bad situation?. Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield, pp 161–192
Harlıoğlu MM (2004) The present situation of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) in Turkey. Aquaculture 230:181–187
Harlıoğlu MM, Holdich DM (2001) Meat yields in the introduced crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Astacus leptodactylus, from British waters. Aquacult Res 32:411–417
Harlıoğlu MM, Harlıoğlu AG (2004) The harvest of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) in Turkey. Rev Fish Fish Biol 14:415–419
Harlıoğlu MM, Güner U (2006) Studies on the recently discovered crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium (Shrank, 1803), in Turkey: morphological analysis and meat yield. Aquaculture Research. Aquacult Res 37:538–542
Hobbs HH Jr (1988) Crayfish distrubution, adaptive radiation and evolution. In: Holdich DM, Lowery RS (eds) Freshwater crayfish: biology, management and exploitation. Croom-helm, London, pp 52–83
Hobbs HH III, Jass JP, Huner JV (1989) A review of global crayfish introductions with particular emphasis on two North American species (Decapoda, Cambaridae). Crustaceana 56:300–316
Hogger JB (1988) Ecology, population biology and behaviour. In: Holdich DM, Lowery RS (eds) Freshwater crayfish: biology, management and exploitation. Croom-helm, London, pp 114–144
Holdich DM (1988) Abrahamson Memorial lecture. The dangers of introducing alien animals with particular reference to crayfish. Freshw Crayfish 7:15–30
Holdich DM (1993) A review of astaciculture freshwater crayfish farming. Aquat Living Resour 6(3):307–317
Holdich DM, Rogers WD, Reader JP (1995) Crayfish Conservation. Report for the National Rivers Authority, England, Project Record: 378/10/N & Y
Holdich DM (1999a) The negative effects of established crayfish introductions. In: Ghrardi F, Holdich DM (eds) Crayfish in Europe as alien species. how to make the best of a bad situation? Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield, pp 31–47
Holdich DM (1999b) The introduction of alien crayfish into Britain for commercial exploitation – an own goal? In: Von Vauple Klein JC, Schram FR (eds) The Biodiversity crisis and Crustacea, Proceedings of the 4th International Crustacean Congress, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July 20–24, 1998. Crustacean Issues 12. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 85–97
Holdich DM (2002a) Present distribution of crayfish in Europe and some adjoining countries. Bulletin Français de la Peche et de la Pisciculture 367(4):611–650
Holdich DM (2002b) Biology of freshwater crayfish. Blackwell Science, Oxford, 702 pp
Holdich DM (2003) Crayfish in Europe – an overview of their taxonomy, legislation, distribution, and crayfish plague outbreaks. In: Holdich DM, Sibley PJ (eds) Management and conservation of crayfish. Environment Agency, Bristol, pp 15–34
Holdich DM, Ackefors H, Gherardi F, Rogers D, Skurdal J (1999) Native and alien crayfish in Europe: some conclusions. In: Ghrardi F, Holdich DM (eds) Crayfish in Europe as alien species. how to make the best of a bad situation? Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield, pp 281–292
Holdich D, Sibley P, Peay S (2004) The white-clawed crayfish – a decade on. Br Wildlife 15(3):153–164
Holdich DM, Pöckl M (2005) Can legislation protect vulnerable crayfish species? Bulletin de Français de la Pêche et de la Pisciculture 376–377:809–827
Horwitz P (1990) The translocation of freshwater crayfish in Australia: potential impact, the need for control and global relevance. Biol Conserv 54: 291–305
Huner JV, Holdich DM, Westman K (1992) Crayfish management starategies and management methods in Europe: a summary. Finnish Fish Res 14: 157–159
Karplus I, Barki A, Levi T, Hulata G, Harpaz S (1995) Effects of kinship and shelters on growth and survival of juvenile Australian redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). Freshw Crayfish 10:494–505
Köksal G (1988) Astacus leptodactylus in Europe. In: Holdich DM, Lowery RS (eds) Freshwater crayfish: biology, management and exploitation. Croom Helm, London and Timber Press, Oregon, pp 365–400
Laurent PJ (1997) Crayfish introductions into France and in the world, history and consequences. Bulletin Francais De La Peche Et De La Pisciculture 344–45:345–356
Laurent PJ, Nicolas J, Paris L (1993) Five years of action in Lorraine and Morvan (France) to restore the noble crayfish Astacus astacus. Freshw Crayfish 9:380–389
Light T (2005) Behavioral effects of invaders: alien crayfish and native sculpin in a California stream. Biol Invasions 7:353–367
Light T, Erman DC, Myrick C, Clarke J (1995) Decline of the Shasta crayfish (Pacifastacus fortis Faxon) of northeastern California. Conserv Biol 9:1567–1577
Lodge D, Taylor C, Holdich DM, Skurdal J (2000a) Nonindigenous crayfishes threaten North American freshwater biodiversity: lessons from Europe. Fisheries 25(8):7–20
Lodge D, Taylor C, Holdich DM, Skurdal J (2000b) Reducing impacts of exotic crayfish introductions: new policies needed. Fisheries 25(8):21–23
Machino Y, Holdich DM (2006) Distribution of crayfish in Europe and adjacent countries: updates and comments. Freshw Crayfish 15:292–323
Maguire I, Gottstein-Matoec S (2004) The distribution pattern of freshwater crayfish in Croatia. Crustaceana 77(1):25–47
Magnuson JJ, Capelli GM, Lorman JG, Stein RA (1975) Consideration of crayfish for macrophyte control. In: Bezonik PL, Fox JL (eds) The proceedings of a symposium on water quality management through biological control. University of Florida, Gainesville, pp 66–74
McGriff D (1983) The commercial fishery for Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana in the Sacramento San Joaquin delta. Freshw Crayfish 5:403–417
Momot WT (1997) History of the range extension of Orconectes rusticus into northwestern Ontario and Lake Superior. Freshw Crayfish 11:61–72
Nyström P (2002) Ecology. In: Holdich DM (ed) Biology of freshwater crayfish. Blackwell Science Company, pp 192–235
Pursiainen M, Westman K (1992) The restoration of the crayfish (Astacus astacus) stocks in Rivers Siikajoki and Tiilikanjoki, Finland. Finnish Fish Res 14:85–91
Rogers WD, Holdich DM (1995) Conservation and management of crayfish in Britain. Freshw Crayfish 10:92–97
Sağlam N (2003) Fisheries regulations. University Bookstore Press, Elazığ, Turkey, 281 pp
Skurdal J (1994) Crayfish Management in the Nordic and Baltic Countries. Nordic J Freshwater Research 69:181–184
Skurdal J, Taugbøl T (2002) Crayfish of commercial importance-Astacus. In: Holdich DM (ed) Biology of freshwater crayfish. Blackwell Science Company. pp␣467–510
Souty-Grosset C, Holdich DM, Noël PY, Reynolds JD, Haffner P (2006) Atlas of Crayfish in Europe. Muséum national d1Histoire naturelle, Paris, (Patrimoines naturels, 64). (In press)
Taylor CA (2002) Conservation assessment for the Kentucky crayfish (Orconectes kentuckiensis). USDA Forest Service, Threatened and Endangered Species Program 310 W Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 580 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203, USA. pp 11
Taylor CA (2003) Conservation assessment for a crayfish (Orconectes placidus). USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region, Center for Biodiversity, Illinois Natural History Survey 607 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. pp 11
Trontelj P, Yoichi M, Boris S (2005) Phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships in the crayfish genus Austropotamobius inferred from mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Mol Phylogenet Evol 34:212–226
Von Lukowicz M (1999) Freshwater crayfish in the fishery legislation of the Federal States (Bundeslander) of Germany. Freshw Crayfish 12:890–898
Westman K (2002) Non-native crayfish in Europe: negative and positive impacts and interactions with native crayfish. In: Leppäkoski E, Gollasch S, Olenin S (eds) Invasive aquatic species of Europe. Distribution, impacts and management, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London: 76–95, 548–583
Westman K (1992) Management of the noble crayfish Astacus astacus (L). and the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) in Finland. Finnish Fish Res 14:39–51
Westman K, Westman P (1992) Present status of crayfish management in Europe. Finnish Fish Res 14:1–22
Wickins JF, Lee DO’C (2002) Crustacean farming ranching and culture. Blackwell Science, Oxford, 446 pp
Acknowledgment
Many thanks to Dr. David Holdich for constructive criticisms of drafts of this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harlioğlu, M.M., Harlioğlu, A.G. Threat of non-native crayfish introductions into Turkey: global lessons. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 16, 171–181 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-006-9010-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-006-9010-1