Ephemeroptera communities as bioindicators of the suitability of headwater streams for restocking with white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes

Abstract

Currently, the distribution of the European native white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is restricted and fragmented over its range. Many European countries have active programmes for conservation of the species, including reintroduction programmes. Here, we have studied four brooks that were restocked with crayfish coming from population rescue from the Brissionnières after a drought in summer 2009. The aim was to validate the use of Ephemeropteran communities as potential bioindicators to select brooks for crayfish restocking. Restocked brooks were surveyed in 2010 and 2012. All brooks showed chemical and physical parameters in accordance with A. pallipes requirements. Three brooks which had high Ephemeropteran richness including Leptophlebiidae species (Habrophlebia lauta and Paraleptophlebia submarginata) have been restocked successfully. No crayfish were observed during the survey in Le Peu, which had only two Ephemeropteran species tolerant of reduced water quality and had no Leptophlebiidae species. Ecological characteristics of Ephemeropteran species and the limitations of their use as bioindicators to select brook for restocking are discussed.