Can Austropotamobius italicus meridionalis be used as a monitoring instrument in Central Italy? Preliminary observations

Abstract

Attributing the term bioindicator to a species complex such as Austropotamobius pallipes is complicated, considering that the meaning given to a bioindicator can vary according to the geographic position, and that A. pallipes species complex has been divided into 2 species and 5 subspecies, the possibility of using A. i. meridionalis as a bioindicator in watercourses of Central Italy was evaluated. To this end, we analysed the structure and abundance of a number of crayfish populations and then compared them to the water quality of the corresponding watercourses, using E.B.I. (Extended Biotic Index). This index provides information on water quality through an analysis of the macrobenthos community. The watercourses are assigned to various classes (from I to V, increasing the degrees of alteration). This study was carried out in several watercourses near Rome. The abundance of crayfish was found to be greatest in those tracts that are assessed as class I, where the populations seem well structured with individuals of various sizes and the sex ratio is approximately 1:1. In contrast, in class II we found a reduced presence of specimens, mostly in bad conditions. No crayfish specimens were observed in watercourses designated as class III. In light of these preliminary results, it does not seem possible to consider A. i. meridionalis as a bioindicator, given that one of the typical characteristics of a biological indicator (wide distribution) is not met. Though these results illustrate the possibility of using A. i. meridionalis populations as an excellent monitoring instrument in Central Italy.