ISSN 1023 -8174

Vol.26 No. 1 February 2004 The official newsletter of the International Association of Astacology Freshwater crayfish as biomonitors

Australian IAA member Marilyn Bennet - Chambers was recently awarded her PhD for investigations into the role of Cherax cainii (marron) as a biomonitor of the impact of cadmium on aquatic ecosystems.

“Cherax cainii (Austin & Ryan): a biomonitor of cadmium” Cherax cainii —used as a biomonitor of cadmium ABSTRACT Cadmium (Cd) is a non -essential trace metal accumulation. Acute exposure experiments found in the aquatic ecosystems of Western conducted over 96 hours investigated Cd Australia (WA). This metal enters aquatic sensitivities, mortality patterns and ecosystems in WA as a by -product of accumulated concentrations in whole, juvenile prolonged superphosphate application to marron. A comparison was made between agricultural land. Measurement of Cd marron of different ages (3 and 6 months) concentrations in the water column does not from Pemberton and marron of the same age reflect the true impact of Cd on aquatic from Pemberton and Geraldton. This was organisms because many of them have the followed by a chronic study that exposed 18 ability to concentrate Cd from low ambient month old marron to 15 µgCd L -1 for 30, 60 or concentrations; further, not all Cd present is 90 days. bioavailable. Cadmium accumulation was measured in the One method of monitoring these ecosystems is hepatopancreas, gills and abdominal muscle in to estimate the impact of Cd in an organism both control and exposed animals. within this system. Cherax cainii (marron) is a Concomitantly, Cd metallothioneins were freshwater crayfish endemic to southwest WA measured in the hepatopancreas of these and this study investigated the hypothesis that marron. The Pemberton pond study quantified this crayfish could be used as a biomonitor of Cd concentrations in the same three tissues in cadmium (Cd) in the southwest aquatic known aged marron. A cross -sectional study ecosystems of Western Australia. involved the sampling of a cross -section of marron aged between 0 -3 years across the Cadmium concentrations in C. cainii were different seasons of one year. Winter and measured under different situations to spring sampling of juveniles in this study elucidate the factors that may influence Cd (Continued on page 4) IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 12 President’s Corner expertise to this group and also teach in animal Applications should be directed to the Vice - physiology and cell biology as well as Chancellor and mailed so as to arrive at Dear Astacologists supervise PhD students. Uppsala University, Registrar´s Office UFV - PA 2003/5903, Box 256, S -751 05 Uppsala, With my final letter as President of IAA, I Eligibility: The successful candidate must Sweden, or fax +46 18 471 2000, no later than announce many changes that are occurring in have a Ph.D. Priority is given to applicants February 23 rd , 2004. A fax should be followed our wonderful organization. After serving as who completed their Ph.D. within the last five by a signed original of the application sent The International Association of Astacology (IAA), the “permanent” secretariat since the founding years. Uppsala University´s general within a week of the deadline. founded in Hintertal, Austria in 1972, is dedicated of IAA, Jay Huner is retiring as our constant employment regulations also require that to the study, conservation, and wise utilisation of point of contact. We will miss him teachers possess all skills necessary to carry LITERATURE OF INTEREST TO freshwater crayfish. Any individual or firm tremendously, although we have his email out their duties proficiently. The ability to ASTACOLOGISTS interested in furthering the study of astacology is address and he seems always available for teach in Swedish or English is a requirement. 1. Dixon, C. J., Ahyong, S. T. & Schram, F. R. eligible for membership. Service to members excellent advice! (2003). A new hypothesis of decapod Ranking criteria: In ranking eligible include a quarterly newsletter, membership phylogeny. Crustaceana , 76 (8): 935 -975. candidates importance will be given to directory, bi -annual international symposia and 2. Dubois, J -P., Gillet, C., Laurent, P. J. & publication of the journal Freshwater Crayfish. Our secretariat is moving to Auburn Alabama scientific skills. When judging scientific Michoud, M. (2003). Que sont devenues les and is under the able direction of William proficiency special importance will be attached populations d’écrevisses de la rive français du Secretariat (Bill) Daniels . We thank Bill for taking on to research qualifications within molecular and lac Leman? L’Astaciculteur de France , 77 : 2 - The International Association of Astacology has a this awesome responsibility and look forward comparative immunology preferentially in permanent secretariat managed by Bill Daniels . 11. (French with English abstract). to another long tenure with him. I would also invertebrate animals. Experience from work as Address: IAA Secretariat, Room 123, Swingle Hall, 3. Laurent, P. J. (2003). L’astaciculture like to thank Jay on behalf of IAA for the a post -doc and experience with molecular Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, britannique n’a pas été la poule aux oeufs d’or extraordinary work and dedication he has biology techniques documented by Auburn University, AL 36849 -5419, USA. que l’on attendait. L’Astaciculteur de France , given to this organization. For a volunteer publications in international journals are Tel: (+1 334 ) 8449123 77 : 12 -14. (French with English abstract). required. Fax: (+1 334 ) 8449208 organization like IAA to function, it takes the 4. Harlıo ğlu, M. M. (2003). Differences in the E-mail: [email protected] amazing dedication of such individuals. And crista dentata structure of the ischium of the Pedagogical skills and other qualities such as IAA functions very well due to the likes of Jay third maxilliped in Astacus leptodactylus communication skill will also be considered. Web page: and Bill. (Eschscholtz, 1823). Folia biologica http://www.crayfish.byu.edu/IAA/ Pedagogical skills will be evaluated with (Kraków), 51(1-2): 111 -116. respect to planning, teaching, supervision and The next big change is in the editing of this 5. Harlıo ğlu, M. M. (2004). The present Officers: examination. Personal circumstances that may newsletter. Again we have two individuals situation of freshwater crayfish, Astacus • be of relevance when in merit evaluation, for Keith Crandall, President, Department of who have devoted untold amounts of time and leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) in Turkey. example parental leave, should be mentioned Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT energy to IAA in general and to the newsletter Aquaculture , 230 : 181 -187. in the list of qualifications (CV). Uppsala 84602 -5255 USA 6. Harlıo ğlu, M. M., Barım, Ö., Türkgülü, İ. & in particular. Both Glen Whisson and David University aims at an equal representation of E-mail: [email protected] Harlıo ğlu, A. G. (2004). Potential fecundity of Holdich have served IAA in a variety of men and women in all positions. Since most •Francesca Gherardi, President -elect , Department an introduced population, Keban Dam Lake, capacities (including President) and now are teachers at the Faculty are men, women are of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Elazi ğ, Turkey, of freshwater crayfish, Astacus ready to pass the newsletter -editing torch. particularly encouraged to apply for this Florence, via Romana 17, 50125 Firenze, Italy leptodactylus leptodactylus (Esch. 1852). E-mail: [email protected] position. We have decided that the newsletter editing Aquaculture , 230 : 189 -195. • 7. Holdich, D., Sibley, P. & Peay, S. (2004). Catherine Souty -Grosset , Secretary, Laboratoire will principally be under the direction of the For further information about the position, The white -clawed crayfish – a decade on. de Génétique et Biologie des Populations de IAA Secretary for an interim period. please contact professor Kenneth Söderhäll , British Wildlife , 15(2):153 -164. Crustacés, University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS However, we are now soliciting a volunteer or phone +46 18 -471 2818, +46 -70 -425 01 91 e - 6556, 86022 Poitiers Cedex, France 8. Rudolph, E. H. & Rojas, C. S. (2003). team of volunteers who would be interested mail : [email protected] . E-mail: catherine.souty@univ -poitiers.fr Embryonic and early postembryonic and have the skills to organize a quarterly development of the burrowing crayfish, •Glen Whisson, Past President, Aquatic Science newsletter. In a very real sense, the newsletter How to apply: The application must be Virilastacus araucanius (Faxon, 1914) Research Unit, Curtin University of Technology, written in English. The applicant is required to is one of the great benefits of IAA. It allows (Decapoda, Parastacidae) under laboratory GPO Box U1987 Perth 6845, Western Australia us to keep in touch and keep current on recent submit two copies of documents and one copy E-mail: [email protected] conditions. Crustaceana , 76 (7): 835 -850. crayfish literature and happenings around the of publications according to instructions found on the web site www.teknat.uu.se or ordered Statements and opinions expressed in world. I would encourage anyone interested in from [email protected] , Crayfish News are not necessarily those of the editing our newsletter to please get in contact International Association of Astacology Phone +46 18 471 1869.

IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 2 IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 11 Karaman, M. S. (1962). Ein Beitrag zur which has extensive populations of white - with me ( [email protected] ) at your Systematik der Astacidae (Decapoda). clawed crayfish, a policy of not allowing NICS earliest convenience so we can make the EDITORIAL Crustaceana , 3: 173 -191. to be imported, and no outbreaks of crayfish transition before the next newsletter is due Dear Crayfish News readers. Thank -you to Stagl, V. & P. C. Dworschak. 1998. Die plague since the mid -1980s. Krebstiersammlung des Naturhistorischen out. those of you that have contributed to this issue Museums in Wien. Stapfia , 58 (137): 103 -108. HARVEST AND PLAGUE RESISTANCE of the newsletter. However, we know there are many more crayfish articles, PhD abstracts, IN CRAYFISH IN TURKISH LAKES Finally, our upcoming meeting in March (29 - Yoichi MACHINO a & Zden ěk ĎURIŠ b peculiar crayfish photographs, references, etc. Harlıo ğlu (2004) (see Literature of Interest to April 2) ( www.crayfish15.org) in London not a13 Rue Montorge, F -38000 Grenoble, France. e -mail: out there! Please make the voluntary job of Astacologists) has reviewed the status of the only promises to be an exciting meeting with [email protected] producing this newsletter a little easier —and b crayfish ( Astacus leptodactylus ) harvest in outstanding presentations on crayfish, but will Department of Biology, University of Ostrava, take a few minutes to send these bits of Chittusiho 10, CZ -71000 Ostrava, Czech Republic. e - Turkish lakes since its decline due to overfishing also usher in changes in the IAA organization. information to us —you would be surprised how mail: [email protected] and crayfish plague in the mid -1980s. According As an evolutionary biologist, I am especially interested your colleagues are in what to the author crayfish are not cultivated in looking forward to our meeting finale at the crayfishy things you’re up to! MORE NICS THAN ICS! Turkey at present, and very little of the catch is Linnean Society in the historic Darwin Room. It is likely that the personnel involved with Holdich et al . (2004) (see Literature of Interest eaten, most being exported to Western Europe. The meeting promises to be a wonderful and putting the newsletter together will change to Astacologists) review what has happened to The harvest has been steadily increasing in exciting event and I hope to see you all there the indigenous crayfish species (ICS), recent years and was 1500 tonnes in the 1998 after IAA 15. After a long stint, Glen and David partaking of the exceptional research and have decided to reduce their involvement and Austropotamobius pallipes , in the British Isles in season. The bulk of the production comes from wonderful camaraderie that makes IAA such a pass the job onto someone else. An the last 10+ years in view of all the legislation İznik Lake (Bursa) which, despite having been special organization. announcement regarding the future production that has been put in place to protect it. Although affected by crayfish plague, has a thriving of the newsletter will be made at IAA 15. outbreaks of crayfish plague since 1993 have population of A. leptodactylus . E ğirdir (Isparta) I appreciate your support and the opportunity reduced considerably - only two outbreaks have Lake used to be one of the best crayfish lakes in Included with this issue are the ballots for the been recorded since then (of course some may Turkey but was badly affected by crayfish I have had to head this organization. It has election of IAA officers for the 2004 -2006 have gone unrecorded), non -indigenous crayfish plague. Harvesting was banned from 1987 to been a fun ride and I hope we have made period. We encourage you to participate in the species (NICS) have continued to spread. 1999 due to the presence of the disease. In 1999 some improvements along the way. I wish election and have a say in who leads your some 500 tonnes were harvested, although over the incoming President and new officers the organisation. In the period 1990 -1996 the white -clawed 13% exhibited characteristics of the disease. best of luck for an exciting next two years. crayfish was reported as being present in 298 Hoping to see you in London shortly. 10 -km squares in Britain (figures are not EDITORS’ NOTE : MAGNUS FÜRST OF Sincerely Regards available for Ireland), mainly in the central and SWEDEN (CRAYFISH NEWS 9(2) 1986) Keith A. Crandall, Ph.D. Glen Whisson northern England. Since 1997 the number has NOTED THAT CRAYFISH IN TURKISH IAA President David Holdich declined to 256 10 -km squares, a fall of 14% LAKES SHOWED SIGNS OF REISTANCE across Britain. In the period 1990 -1996 NICS TO CRAYFISH PLAGUE AND THAT THE were recorded for 189 10 -km squares, mainly in DISEASE WAS POSSIBLY SPREAD BY SIGNALS THROUGH THE GRINDER! served to increase the likelihood that fish the south of England. This increased to 303 10 - WATERFOWL ). Member Stephanie Peay (UK) has sent in the entrained in discharge from Lake Davis km squares during the period 1997 -2003, a rise following abstract and asks the question ‘Will (Plumas County, California) would incur fatal of 60% nationally. Consequently there are now COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGIST nothing stop these animals?’ trauma. Seven species of fish, cumulatively more 10 -km squares occupied by NICS than the REQUIRED hundreds of individuals, were observed killed white -clawed crayfish. The greatest relative The post of Assistant Professor/Research Rischbieter, D. B. C. (2000). Structures to by the graters. Injuries induced included percentage increases have been for central and Associate in Comparative Physiology at the prevent the spread of nuisance fish from Lake dismemberment, lacerations, abrasions, and north -east England and in Scotland. The Department of Comparative Physiology, Davis, California. North American Journal of contusions. No failures to induce fatal trauma majority of NICS records relate to the signal Evolutionary Biology Center (EBC), Uppsala Fisheries Management , 20(3): 784 -790. to entrained fish were observed, though a few crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus . University is available. crayfish Pacifastacus spp. remained alive after Despite the continued spread of NICS, and the Period of appointment: The position can be Abstract: Methods to contain the spread of only partial dismemberment. The graters were previous ravages of crayfish plague, the white - held for a maximum of four years. nuisance or otherwise undesirable fish species fabricated from commercially available steel clawed crayfish is in fact still very abundant in are relatively limited. I describe an and sized to fit over 10 -in and 30 -in discharge parts of Britain, but it is very vulnerable to Tasks: The position is for research in molecular unconventional method used to help restrict the ports of the outlet works. Reservoir and fishery adverse human activity and to competition from and comparative immunology and the successful movement of northern pike Esox lucius from a managers could adapt these designs for use at a NICS. However, in the long run it may be that it applicant will join an already existing group mountain reservoir into downstream waters. variety of other outlet facilities where interim will only survive in protected isolated Ark sites. working with innate immune reactions in Reservoir managers designed, installed, and measures are desired to contain the spread of The largest Ark could be the island of Ireland, invertebrate animals and contribute with his/her monitored steel structures ("graters") that nuisance fish. IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 10 IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 3 (7 and 11 month old) formed the basis of a generally short-term and tissue specific which classification (1962), these crayfish should be A. crab ( Potamon ibericum ), and probably also for pallipes carsicus . This was believed to be the longitudinal study which was continued until reflected seasonal fluctuations in available Cd Astacus leptodactylus (Machino, personal distribution area of Austropotamobius observation 1996). the marron were 25 months of age. moderated by changing growth patterns torrentium (Bott 1972), based on specimens throughout the year. conserved in the Naturhistorisches Museum in Crayfish sampling trips in 2003 enabled us to Marron accumulated Cd in proportion to the Wien (NHMW inventory No. 3037). A obtain information from Poland, Czech concentrations to which they were exposed in Cadmium metallothineins were investigated as verification of these specimens was carried out Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, the acute exposure study. Acute toxicity tests a potential biomarker for Cd. These Cd in Wien. These are in effect A. torrentium . Montenegro, Bosna -i-Hercegovina, Austria, with juvenile C. cainii resulted in 96 hr LC50s metallothioneins (CdMTs) were present in However, the collection bottle contains Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. The that ranged from 0.4 to 4.7 mgCd L -1. marron exposed to Cd, but were not detectable conflicting locality information (Trebinje in distribution data and the genetic data will Pemberton 3 month old marron had lower in the control animals. The highest Cd Bosna -i-Hercegovina, the Lom River near Ruse provide useful information on the biogeography initial total body Cd but were more sensitive to metallothionein concentrations coincided with in Bulgaria, or unknown). Therefore it is better of Austropotamobius spp. of Europe, as several Cd, accumulated it faster and sequestered Cd to an increased Cd burden in the hepatopancreas. to treat the Trebinje area as holding only A. Austropotamobius specimens from Portugal, higher concentrations than the Geraldton 3 Cadmium and CdMT concentrations gradually pallipes , while the presence on A. torrentium is Spain, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, not proved. Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, month and Pemberton 6 month juvenile increased over the exposure period and were and Turkey have already been analyzed marron. Overall, the Geraldton 3 month and greatest in the marron exposed for 90 days. 2. The Zeta River (tributary of the Mora ča (Machino et al ., in prep.). Pemberton 6 month marron were the same size, Cadmium metallothioneins may be a more River) in Montenegro has A. pallipes . had the same LC50s and accumulated Cd at sensitive measure for Cd flux in the aquatic The information was based on specimens The authors thank P. C. Dworschak, D. M. similar rates. ecosystems than Cd tissue concentrations. collected in 2002 (National Museum, Prague, Holdich, B. Sket, R. Šanda, and P. Trontelj for inventory No. P6E -2866). A. pallipes were their help. Cherax cainii accumulated bioavailable Cd Cherax cainii can be a biomonitor of Cd in the found in this river at Spuž and Peru ćica (both from the surrounding water in the chronic aquatic ecosystems of the southwest of WA visited 28 Aug. 2003). It is the first time that A. Literature cited pallipes have ever been found in Montenegro. Bott, R. (1972). Besiedlungsgeschichte und exposure experiment. The hepatopancreas under the following circumstances: Systematik der Astaciden West -Europas. Rev. According to Karaman's classification (1962), accumulated Cd continually with no evidence Suisse Zool ., 79: 387 -408 + 4 pl. of depuration over 90 days. The gills • Long -term monitoring or spatial comparisons these crayfish should be A. pallipes carsicus . Karaman, G. S. (1981). Crustacea Decapoda, accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd can be made if the sampling regime measures 3. The Crnojevica and Orahovštica drainages Mysidacea and Amphipoda from Lake Skadar during the exposure, and after an initial 30 days Cd in the hepatopancreas from intermoult (Skadar Lake, Montenegro) have A. drainage system, pp. 246 -250 + 451 -466. In G.S. Karaman & A.M. Beeton [eds.], The biota and uptake maintained a high but variable males, especially if the age of the marron is torrentium . limnology of Lake Skadar. Institut za Biološka i concentration of Cd. The concentrations in the known, or at least approximated. The tributaries of Skadar Lake are known to Medicinska Istraživanja u SRCG, Univerzitet abdominal muscle were much less than in the hold A. torrentium (Karaman 1981). The Veljko Vlahovi ć, Titograd (=Podgorica). gill and hepatopancreas but there was an initial • The sample should not include juveniles. Crnojevica River at Rijeka Crnojevica, the increase at 30 days, which probably reflected Radomir Brook below Građani (tributary of the Orahovštica), and the Velja River at Ovto čići the Cd contribution from haemolymph from the • There should be seasonal collections or an haemal spaces between the muscle bundles. (headwaters of the Orahovštica) were observed annual collection in autumn. NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION! Moulting appears to be one method of Cd and A. torrentium were found in all these places (all visited 29 Aug. 2003). Despite the editors contacting all depuration. • The most recent Cd exposure can be IAA members before Xmas with a monitored using gill tissue. 4. The Marica River at Septemvri in Bulgaria The Pemberton pond study demonstrated that has A. torrentium . request for articles, publications C. cainii accumulated of Cd over time. • The collection areas should have rainfall The Naturhistorisches Museum in Wien has A. etc. for the newsletter, very few torrentium collections sampled in the Marica However, accumulation of Cd in the three records available. have responded. We are wondering River at Sarambei (now Septemvri in Bulgaria, tissues paralleled the growth of the marron. why this is so? Please make it your This caused a dilution effect for tissue Cd over NHMW inventory No. 3035). Specific This study highlights the presence of Cd in the New Year’s Resolution to submit time that resulted in an overall decline of Cd verification of the collections was carried out in aquatic ecosystems of the southwest of Western Wien, these are in effect A. torrentium . This your publications and articles of concentrations in the hepatopancreas, muscle Australia and the potential use of Cherax cainii location was erroneously interpreted as a place i n t e r e s t f o r y o u r f e l l o w and gills. This trend was identified in animals as a biomonitor that can be incorporated in in Turkey (Stagl & Dworschak, 1998). The astacologists on a regular basis. over eleven months old. Variability in Cd future management strategies. habitat of the Marica River in Turkey is not concentrations within the older animals was good for A. torrentium , but it is for a freshwater Thank you.

IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 4 IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 9 INVERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION AND Astacus astacus , Austropotamobius pallipes , DEVELOPMENT CONGRESS Cambarus bartoni , Cambaroides japonicus , IAA member Amir Sagi sends the following Astacoides madagascarensis and Cherax conference announcement: lorentzi . The authors conclude that homarids (lobsters) and astacids (crayfish) are closely 10th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON related, as shown by the unique process on the INVERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION AND ischium of their first pereopods. Other recent DEVELOPMENT (ICIRD) to be held : studies have tried to separate the true lobsters DATE: 18 to 23 July 2004 from the freshwater crayfish. Their analysis LOCATION: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK does support the monophylogenetic origins of WEB SITE: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/icird2004 freshwater crayfish – but not strongly. However, they do state that embryological MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS evidence gives considerable support to their During the current period (2002 -2003) there monophylogeny. have been some 318 members in the IAA. In addition, there are currently 129 members of the CRAYFISH IN LAKE GENEVA Forum Flusskrebse, an organization for Dubois et al . (2003) (see Literature of Interest German -speaking astacologists that is affiliated to Astacologists) report on catches of crayfish to the IAA. On a regional basis 19 come from from the French shore of Lake Geneva. Africa, Middle East and Far East; 19 from Although Astacus leptodactylus appears to have Central and South America; 98 from North virtually disappeared, some fifty tonnes of the America; 148 (+129) from the Europe and the alien species, Orconectes limosus and Near East; and 34 from Australasia and the Pacifastacus leniusculus , were caught along 30 Pacific Islands. Numbers for most regions have km of shore in 2001, This represents a quantity remained similar or have increased slightly of 1800 kg per km. The authors consider that since the last census in 1996 -97, although the the annual yield is amongst the highest of number of North American members has European lakes, although is in accordance with declined since then. values observed in French ponds and gravel pits. NEW EDITION OF CRAYF ISH BOOK A 4 th edition (2004) of Jacques Arrignon ’s NEW DATA AND VERIFICATION ON book ‘L’écrevisse et son élevage’ (ISBN 2 - THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 7430 -0637 -4) has been published. This book OF THE CRAYFISH GENUS mainly deals with crayfish farming but also has AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS FROM BOSNA -I- details of general biology. Yoichi Machino HERCEGOVINA, MONTENEGRO AND (France) reports that the book contains a lot of BULGARIA new information and is generally error free. It is During the summer of 2003 several countries in in French and costs 55 euro. Further details can Eastern and Southeastern Europe as well as be found at: http://www.tec -et -doc.com some local institutions were visited in order to gather information on the geographical MONOPHYLETIC ORIGIN OF distribution of Austropotamobius spp. and to CRAYFISH verify the crayfish information. The most The Decapoda, to which the freshwater crayfish significant findings were: belong, is thought to have at least 10,000 species, and may be at least half as large again. 1. Trebinje area in Bosna -i-Hercegovina is Dixon et al . (2003) (see Literature of Interest to inhabited by Austropotamobius pallipes . Astacologists) have postulated a new hypothesis The Trebišnjica River at Trebinje and the of decapod phylogeny. The study was based on Sušica River at Aran đerovo (tributary of the computerised cladistic analysis of the external Trebišnjica) (both observed 31 Aug. 2003) have morphology of some 60 taxa of decapod A. pallipes . According to Karaman's crustaceans, including five species of crayfish: The cadmium transfer from the ocean into marron (from Bennet -Chambers 2003).

IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 8 IAA Newsletter 26 ( 1): 5 IAA 15 UPDATE Road, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2LR, The total meat (meat of abdomen and chelae) in References IAA 15 looks like being the biggest crayfish telephone: +44 (0) 1332 850156 Arass water reservoir (Iran) for both sexes is Harlioglu, M.M. & Holdich, D.M. (2001). conference ever; we have more than 100 at 21.4 % (Karimpour & Housseinpour, 1999). Meat yield in the introduced freshwater crayfish, present and capacity for 150. If you have not I look forward to seeing you in the not to distant However, the meat in Caspian Sea crayfish is Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) and Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, from British waters. registered and were planning on coming, please future. only 17.3% males and 14.7 % for females of Aquaculture Research 32: 411-417. contact me at [email protected] as soon as total body weight (Karimpour, 2002). Karimpour, M. & Housseinpour, S.N. (1999). possible, we will give priority to members if Kind regards I sent two boxes of Caspian Sea crayfish by a Population dynamism and determining of MSY of places become tight. David Rogers private company (each box contained 3 kg freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus in Arass crayfish) to Sweden and Germany. The crayfish water reservoir. Gilan Fisheries Research Center, Invited speaker, Andy Purvis (Professor from TOTAL MEAT YIELD OF THE CASPIAN dealer in both countries confirmed that the Bandar Anzali, Iran (in Persian). Imperial College, London) will deliver the Sture SEA CRAYFISH ASTACUS Caspian sea crayfish meat is less than that from Karimpour, M. (2002). Biological Abrahamsson Memorial. The lecture will be LEPTODACTYLUS EICHWALDI Turkish and Iranian crayfish exported to these characteristics of Caspian sea crayfish Astacus along the lines: What phylogeny shape can tell IAA member Mohammed Karimpour from countries. According to Harlioglu & Holdich leptodactylus in south –west of Iranian coast us about diversification and current extinction? the Caspian Sea Bony Fishes Research Center (2001) the meat yield of Astacus leptodactylus in (Anzali region). Caspian Sea Bony Fishes …and; Phylogeny of crayfish; crayfish (e-mail: [email protected]) British waters is 10.9% and 12.9% on average Research Center, Bandar Anzali, Iran (in Persian). diversification and crayfish extinction. has sent in the following article on comparative for females and males respectively. Therefore, Koksal, G. (1979). Biometric analysis on meat yields. the meat yield of Caspian Sea crayfish is more freshwater crayfish ( Astacus leptodactylus ) which A second invited speaker Phil Rainbow (Keeper than for British populations. The weight of is product in Turkey . Relationship between the of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Introduction Caspian crayfish and its relative meat yield have major body components and meat yield. Journal of London) will be highlighting the parallels In order to compare the meat yield of Astacus the positive relationship (r = 0.87), therefore the the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of between the spread of mitten crabs and alien leptodactylus from the Caspian Sea with A. biggest crayfish has more meat in comparison to Ankara, 26: 94-114. crayfish in Britain but will also give an insight leptodactylus from other waters, i.e. Iran, small ones. Koksal, G. (1988). Astacus leptodactylus in into the workings of the Natural History Turkey and Britain, the following experiment Europe. In: Freshwater crayfish, biology, Museum and the world renowned Darwin was undertaken. Acknowledgments management andexploitation (eds Holdich, D.M. Centre within it. Visits with scientists behind I would like to thank Dr D.M. Holdich for & Lowery, R.S.), pp. 365-400. Croom Helm, the scenes at the Darwin Centre are part of its Materials and methods sending his article and for his guidance and London. everyday workings. The whole crayfish was added to boiling water editing this paper. and simmered for 10 minutes, when the colour This symposium (IAA 15) is also a turning of the crayfish turned to bright red or orange, point for our organisation (IAA), this year we they were taken out and cooled and dried. The IAA HISTORY BOOK UPDATE will have a new Secretariat, website and weight and total length of each crayfish was Apart from some minor details, David Holdich and Glen Whisson have completed the IAA newsletter editor; we have the opportunity to measured to 0.1 g and 0.1 mm accuracy. The History Book. We hope to launch the publication in London and distribute a copy to all vote in new blood to the organisation by meat of the abdomen and chelae was extracted members and make it a standard issue for new members. We are still uncertain of the identity election of Officers—the results of which will by scalpel and forceps, and was measured with of one lady who appears in pictures from some of the early symposia. We are quite sure she be announced at the symposium. 0.01 g accuracy. Males (n = 123) and females (n is either Mrs Mary Mason (John Mason’s wife) or Mrs Spitzy (Reinhard Spitzy’s wife). If = 112) crayfish was cooked separately. The you can provide further information it would be greatly In preparing the programme, and planning relationship between crayfish weigh and meat appreciated. In these pictures she appears with Stellan Karlsson additional events such as a jazz band and was determined. The total length range of (below left) and Per Brinck (centre). If you can help, please complimentary refreshments during registration females was 97 - 155 mm and weight ranged email Glen Whisson ([email protected]) urgently as the plus field trips to areas of crayfish interest between 24.6 – 89.1 mm. The range of total book will go to print within a matter of days. following the symposium, we are keen to give length and weight for males was 72 – 169 mm people a wide range of opportunities to and 12.5 – 148.1 g. network. If you are already coming to the symposium you might like to consider also Discussion and conclusions coming on the field trips, let us know as soon as The meat production is almost the same in possible. males and females, but as mentioned above males longer than 100 mm have more meat than For those of you that do not use email the females (Koksal, 1988). The mean relative symposium address is: David Rogers and Liz muscle weight is 23.29 % in females and 21.83 Watson , Conference Organisers, 20 Cedar % in the males (Koksal, 1979).

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