Reproduction in an Irish lake population of the crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes (Lerehoullet)

Abstract

SUMMARY. 1. Mature crayfish were collected in 1984 from an alkaline Irish lake before and after the mating season.2. There was some correlation between frequency of mating and decrease in vasa deferentia weight in captive males, but in the field vasa deferentia weight losses were highly variable. The data indicate that one third of adult males may not have mated in the wild.3. All females appear to have spawned, whether or not mated, with an average 85% reduction in ovary weights over the season.4. Pleopodal egg counts directly after laboratory spawning were on average 81% of ovarian counts; in the field, an estimated 50 days after spawning, they were only 61% of estimated ovarian egg numbers.5. Average ovarian egg size was positively correlated with female size. Also, larger crayfish had a wider range of egg sizes than smaller crayfish.6. It is suggested that aggression and competition for shelter among brooding females may result in a progressive loss of eggs.