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Project objectives

 

The objective of this project is to decipher the invasion mechanisms of the spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) in the lower Danube basin and the implications this invasion has on the native crayfish species (Astacus leptodactylus and Austropotambius torrentium). These investigations will be performed through an interdisciplinary approach: ecologically (the overlapping degree of trophic niches), genetically (reproductive strategies found at the active invasion front) and pathologically (prevalence of the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci).

 

The scientific community is the most important beneficiary of the implementation of the the project results. We focus on disseminating the information in journals that have high international recognition, but at the same time we wish to inform the public by creating this website dedicated to the project. We also take into consider practical aspects, such as the best ways to conserve wildlife biodiversity.

 

We plan to write at least four scientific papers. Meanwhile, we make efforts towards capitalizing on data from previous investigations. The new data gathered within this project may generate further research subjects as well.

Schedule

Status

Work package 1: Fecundity

2015 preliminary data processing

finished

manuscript #1 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

field data collection

finished

2016 field data collection

finished

molecular analyses

finished

2017 molecular analyses

finished

manuscript #4 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Work package 2: Ecology of invasion

2016 field data collection

finished

samples processing

finished

stable isotopes analyses

finished

2017 gut content analyses

finished

benthos analyses

finished

stable isotopes analyses

finished

data processing

finished

manuscript #3 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Work package 3: Conservation of indigenous species

2015 field data collection

finished

2016 field data collection

finished

molecular analyses

finished

genotyping

finished

manuscript #2 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

Additionally, further goals in the application supported by the existing resources, the project team will follow new research directions in the invasion mechanisms. The existing preliminary data will also be capitalized. Our institution make available 50% of indirect costs to the decision of Project Leader to expand the research.

Assessing the crayfish populations in relation with habitat stability

2015 preliminary data processing

finished

manuscript #5 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Evaluating the competitiveness relation between the native and invasive crayfish species

2016 laboratory experiments

finished

data processing

finished

manuscript #6 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Phylogeographic re-evaluation of stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) populations

2016 molecular analyses

finished

spatial analyses

finished

2017 data processing

finished

manuscript #8 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Evaluating the chelae biometry in relation with crayfish species biology

2016 laboratory experiments

finished

2017 laboratory experiments

finished

data processing

finished

manuscript #10 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Marmorkrebs, a new non-indigenous crayfish species for Romania

2017 field data collection

finished

molecular analyses

finished

manuscript #12 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

Introducing a new Austropotamobius crayfish species

2017 field data collection

finished

data processing

finished

manuscript #13 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

  

A comparison stable isotopes and gut content analysis

2018
data processing

finished

manuscript #14 preparation

finished: manuscript accepted

© Lucian Pārvulescu