Large Freshwater Branchiopods in Austria: Diversity, Threats and Conservational Status

Abstract

For the first time, Anostraca, Notostraca and Conchostraca (Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata) will be listed in the Austrian Red Data Book of Endangered Species. According to the 1999 IUCN draft criteria, eight out of 15 large branchiopod species recorded between 1994 and 1999 are considered as critically endangered, three of which (Chirocephalus shadini, Eoleptestheria ticinensis, Streptocephalus torvicornis) occur at only one site each. Five species are considered as endangered, two of them (Branchinecta orientalis, Triops cancriformis) showing a statistically significant decrease of sites. Eubranchipus grubii and Lepidurus apus, both found abundantly mainly in the flood plains along the rivers Thaya and Morava, are near threatened. Lynceus brachyurus is extinct in Austria. Large branchiopods are mainly threatened by agricultural activities and hydrological/hydrochemical changes. Presently, three Austrian locations are protected exclusively on the basis of large branchiopod occurrence; three additional habitats are in the process of obtaining official protection. Several large populations are situated in the WWF nature reserve “March-Auen”, and in the National Parks “Donau-Auen” and “Neusiedler See - Seewinkel”, respectively.