Abstract
Abstract Freshwater crayfish were previously absent in the territory stretching from the Caspian Sea basin to the Amur basin. That gap is now being filled, mainly due to the eastward invasion of the narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus, which has currently approached Lake Baikal. This invasion is the result of unauthorized releases. Further spread of the narrow-clawed crayfish or other crayfish species in Siberia may be expected.
Highlights
Crayfish, an essential component of freshwater ecosystems, are considered as keystone species (Füreder et al, 2006)
Crayfish are almost continuously distributed from Europe to the Far East through southern Siberia
The study focused on the water bodies of Siberia, i.e., the territory between the Urals and the Pacific Ocean
Summary
An essential component of freshwater ecosystems, are considered as keystone species (Füreder et al, 2006). They are absent in numerous water bodies worldwide (Crandall and Buhay, 2008). Central Eurasia has been one of the largest gaps in the natural distribution of crayfish. They had existed there in the remote past but died out in the Pliocene (Bogachev, 1961). This gap is being filled as a result of human activities. In this paper I summarize recent evidence of this process and discuss the possibilities of further dispersal
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