A plan of restauration in Navarra for the native freshwater crayfish species of Spain,Austropotamobius pallipes

Abstract

This paper describes the attempts to protect and re-establish threatened populations of the native freshwater crayfish, <i>Austropotamobius pallipes<i/>, of Navarra, Spain. Three species of crayfish are presently thriving in Navarra, the native species <i>A. pallipes<i/> and the introduced North American species <i>Pacifastacus leniusculus<i/> and <i>Procambarus clarkii<i/> . Both species are known to carry the fungus <i>Aphanomyces astaci<i/> in their cuticles and to transmite it to the native species. The management strategies implemented by the authorities in order to restore native populations of crayfish are discussed.