Reproductive performance in captivity of Austropotamobius pallipes in Abruzzi Region (central Italy)

Abstract

Austropotamobius pallipes juveniles for restocking should originate from native breeders to preserve the genetic integrity of the populations. We compared the reproductive performance in captivity of A. pallipes populations of four drainage basins of the Abruzzi Region to assess their reproductive efficiency and improve their aquaculture. The broodstock were collected before the breeding season and reproduction took place in an experimental hatchery. The female carapace length ranged from 35.4 to 59.0 mm. Spawning occurred in 84% of females (range 69–93%) and the mean number of eggs per female was 89 (range 80–104). No significant differences were observed among the groups. Close to hatching, two groups maintained a high percentage of egg-bearing females (52%) and a high number of eggs, while the other groups lost most of their eggs. At the end of the cycle, the stage 2 juveniles obtained represented 19.5% of the initial egg number. The efficiency for stage 2 juvenile production ranged from 48.2 to 0.1%, and the mean number of stage 2 juveniles per female ranged from 42.2 to 1. These differences were not attributable to maternal size, but the characteristics of the brooks of origin might have influenced the reproductive performances of crayfish in the hatchery.

Keywords:

• white-clawed crayfish
• reproductive performance
• broodstock origin
• reproductive efficiency
• Italy

Acknowledgements

The A. pallipes conservation program in the Abruzzi region is supported by citizen’s contributions, given on a voluntary basis. We are indebted to the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park for the cooperation in the conservation program, to the Municipality of Capestrano (L’Aquila, Italy) for providing the location where the experimental breeding center was established, and to Massimiliano Scalici (University “Roma Tre”) for helpful discussions.