New records of Austropotamobius pallipes (Decapoda: Astacidae) relict populations from the Ticino River

Abstract

Based on available literature, the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex, a species of Community interest according to the EU Habitats Directive, has not been reported in the Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley (Northern Italy) since almost two decades, with the last findings dating back to 2005. In 2021, we found two small populations in the northernmost area of the park (Sesto Calende, province of Varese). These observations support the urge for implementing actions focused on the monitoring and conservation of this endangered species in the Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley in order to avoid its local extinction.