Idle Crayfish: from the unknown to the next generation of species conservation
assessment
This website is dedicated to the
project and
its goal is to provide easy access to information about the objectives
and results obtained during its implementation. Another priority is
promoting the
team members’ scientific profiles and increasing their visibility,
both nationally and internationally, as well as the consolidation of
the team (University Koblenz-Landau, Germany; Students will be able to
achieve professional experience by involving in this research grants.
Based on molecular data, phylogenetic analyses have shown that the populations of crayfish in the Apuseni Mountains derive from
an endemic population located at ~600 km away, in the northwest of the Dinarides (Zeleni Vir, Croatia). It is known that the
Apuseni Mountains have a tectonic origin, a piece of land detached from the same region of Dinarides; the paleogeographic data
together with the phylogenetic and morphological investigations proved to be credible arguments for declaring the crayfish
populations in the Apuseni Mountains as, in fact, a new species of crayfish, called idle crayfish (Austropotamobius bihariensis). This
species is particularly attractive from an evolutionary point of view because it most likely incorporates unique biological features
developed over a long period of time in a limited geographical area. We, therefore, consider that it deserves special attention from
a scientific perspective; however, at the same time, it becomes necessary to offer a stable long-term future for this species’
populations. This project is built on two levels: one addressing the knowledge of the species (through modern molecular techniques
and ecological prediction methods); and the other aiming to detect threats (through the analysis of habitat fragmentation and
pressure of invasive species) in order to designate the most favourable long-term conservation measures.
Technical data related to the project
Host Institution:
West University of Timisoara Project leader:
Dr. Lucian Pārvulescu Competition: PN III -
Exploratory Research Projects Funding agency:
CNCS - UEFISCDI Project ID:
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1187 Duration: 36
months (2021-2023) Budget: 1,197,712.00
lei (244,431 €)
