First record of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae) in Tunisia

Abstract

An investigation of artificial water ecosystems at the Cap Bon, in north-eastern Tunisia, led to the first record of the invasive alien freshwater species Procambarus clarkii in Tunisia. Its distribution in hill lakes, dams and streams in this area was investigated and some parameters of Gombare Lake population were studied from December 2017 to March 2018. During the four monthly samplings in Gombare Lake, 116 specimens were collected, sexed and measured. Preliminary results on the sampled population were reported. The introduction and potential impacts of P. clarkii in Tunisia are discussed and management recommendations are given.