TECHNICAL NOTE A NEW, VOLUNTEER-BASED, COST EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR ZOOLOGICAL MAPPING: THE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION OF FRESHWATER CRAYFISH (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA) SPECIES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS IN CRAYFISH RESEARCH

The publication of the European Crayfish Atlas within the framework of the CRAYNET programme is a major breakthrough in Decapoda mapping in Europe. The current data base contains information from approximately 60-70% of the 50 km × 50 km squares covering the continent. A new method to improve this situation further is the use of photo identification involving volunteers in the collection of distribution data. The crayfish identification ability of two potential user groups, astacologists and biology teachers/students, was tested using the questionnaire given in Figure 2. One picture (Astacus leptodactylus male) was correctly identified by everyone, the others were recognised by 59-94% (astacologists) and 30-88% (non-crayfish specialised biology teachers and students). The first European Decapoda photo identification survey proved that the necessary expertise exists in the continent to determine crayfish species from pictures and also that the quality of the pictures is less important than the presence of key details. Photo identification is a low cost and environmental-friendly approach but it also needs special considerations. Volunteers need to be supported in several ways, such as by providing precise and interesting educational material in an easily understandable language describing e.g. the key parts of the body to photograph. However, the general use of digital cameras and even mobile phones/cameras and the Internet is an effective way to launch such surveys as it gives, on one hand, an opportunity for the specialists to check, and if necessary correct, the field identification of less experienced people and, on the other hand, it provides a much larger data base than what is available now by using the data collected by students, conservationists, scouts or other volunteers

Diversity and frequency of amphibian anomalies in semi-natural and anthropogenic habitats in the carpathian basin

Amphibian anomalies have been reported for a long time, with the first description dating back to the eighteenth century, when Vallisneri described an individual with five legs in Italy (1733). In recent times mass deformities have been the focus of herpetological research in the Northern Hemisphere for various reasons (pollution: see e. g. Flyaks, Borkin, 2004, parasite infection: see e. g. Johnson, Hartson, 2009, urban effects: see e. g. Vershinin, 1989).Аномалии амфибий отмечаются исследователями в течение продолжительного периода времени – первые упоминания относятся к XVIII в., когда Vallisneri описал особь с пятью ногами в Италии (1733). В последнее время массовые аномалии находятся в центре внимания герпетологических исследований в северном полушарии по различным причинам (загрязнение: см., напр., Johnson, Hartson, 2009; паразитарная инфекция: Johnson, Hartson, 2009; влияние урбанизации: Vershinin, 1989).The author thanks all co-workers who participated in the collection and analysis of data during the last two decades

ORCONECTES LIMOSUS COLONISES NEW AREAS FAST ALONG THE DANUBE IN HUNGARY

Introduced species are one of the most important anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems with many direct and indirect effects on native taxa. Among other invasive groups, such as plants, mussels and fish, several alien Decapoda species have also spread successfully in Europe in the last 110 years. In Hungary three native (Astacus astacus, Astacus leptodactylus, Austropotamobius torrentium) and three alien Decapoda species, namely Orconectes limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Eriocheir sinensis are known to be present. O. limosus, which had been tried for use in crayfish farming in the 1950s, was the first to occur in the country’s natural waters. Initially it was found in the Danube at river km 1,653 at Budapest in 1985. Since then, it has been spreading fast and populations have reached high abundances. By 1998, it was already in the Gemenc section of the river colonising five 50 km × 50 km UTM squares. In the early 2000s it was also found at Mohács (and further downstream in Croatia), in canals in the Great Hungarian Plain and in the River Ipoly, which added three new 50 km × 50 km UTM squares to its previously known distribution area in the Carpathian Basin. On the basis of the available records from the past 20 years, the downstream colonisation speed of this decapod was calculated to be more than 13 km yr–1, but if its presence at Kopácsi rét/Kopacki rit in Croatia is also taken into consideration, it is over 16 km yr–1. It is unknown, however, how much this process was helped by deliberate introductions, if at all. Besides the main watercourse of Hungary, O. limosus is also common in its lowland tributaries and spreading towards Lake Balaton along the Sió canal. However, it has not been recorded entering mountain streams in the Danube Bend, where A. torrentium lives, which is important for the conservation of that native species. If O. limosus spreads with the same speed and distribution pattern in the Carpathian Basin, it may colonise large rivers such as the River Tisza, their lowland tributaries and canals in the near future. Based on the present situation, O. limosus is likely to threaten A. astacus populations especially in the southern part of Transdanubia, perhaps leading to the elimination of some populations, but less likely to affect A. torrentium living in the mountains of the Danube Bend

Pion interactions in Hydrogen and Deuterium

Not availabl

TECHNICAL NOTE A NEW, VOLUNTEER-BASED, COST EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR ZOOLOGICAL MAPPING: THE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION OF FRESHWATER CRAYFISH (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA) SPECIES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS IN CRAYFISH RESEARCH

The publication of the European Crayfish Atlas within the framework of the CRAYNET programme is a major breakthrough in Decapoda mapping in Europe. The current data base contains information from approximately 60-70% of the 50 km × 50 km squares covering the continent. A new method to improve this situation further is the use of photo identification involving volunteers in the collection of distribution data. The crayfish identification ability of two potential user groups, astacologists and biology teachers/students, was tested using the questionnaire given in Figure 2. One picture (Astacus leptodactylus male) was correctly identified by everyone, the others were recognised by 59-94% (astacologists) and 30-88% (non-crayfish specialised biology teachers and students). The first European Decapoda photo identification survey proved that the necessary expertise exists in the continent to determine crayfish species from pictures and also that the quality of the pictures is less important than the presence of key details. Photo identification is a low cost and environmental-friendly approach but it also needs special considerations. Volunteers need to be supported in several ways, such as by providing precise and interesting educational material in an easily understandable language describing e.g. the key parts of the body to photograph. However, the general use of digital cameras and even mobile phones/cameras and the Internet is an effective way to launch such surveys as it gives, on one hand, an opportunity for the specialists to check, and if necessary correct, the field identification of less experienced people and, on the other hand, it provides a much larger data base than what is available now by using the data collected by students, conservationists, scouts or other volunteers

ORCONECTES LIMOSUS COLONISES NEW AREAS FAST ALONG THE DANUBE IN HUNGARY

Introduced species are one of the most important anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems with many direct and indirect effects on native taxa. Among other invasive groups, such as plants, mussels and fish, several alien Decapoda species have also spread successfully in Europe in the last 110 years. In Hungary three native (Astacus astacus, Astacus leptodactylus, Austropotamobius torrentium) and three alien Decapoda species, namely Orconectes limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus and Eriocheir sinensis are known to be present. O. limosus, which had been tried for use in crayfish farming in the 1950s, was the first to occur in the country’s natural waters. Initially it was found in the Danube at river km 1,653 at Budapest in 1985. Since then, it has been spreading fast and populations have reached high abundances. By 1998, it was already in the Gemenc section of the river colonising five 50 km × 50 km UTM squares. In the early 2000s it was also found at Mohács (and further downstream in Croatia), in canals in the Great Hungarian Plain and in the River Ipoly, which added three new 50 km × 50 km UTM squares to its previously known distribution area in the Carpathian Basin. On the basis of the available records from the past 20 years, the downstream colonisation speed of this decapod was calculated to be more than 13 km yr–1, but if its presence at Kopácsi rét/Kopacki rit in Croatia is also taken into consideration, it is over 16 km yr–1. It is unknown, however, how much this process was helped by deliberate introductions, if at all. Besides the main watercourse of Hungary, O. limosus is also common in its lowland tributaries and spreading towards Lake Balaton along the Sió canal. However, it has not been recorded entering mountain streams in the Danube Bend, where A. torrentium lives, which is important for the conservation of that native species. If O. limosus spreads with the same speed and distribution pattern in the Carpathian Basin, it may colonise large rivers such as the River Tisza, their lowland tributaries and canals in the near future. Based on the present situation, O. limosus is likely to threaten A. astacus populations especially in the southern part of Transdanubia, perhaps leading to the elimination of some populations, but less likely to affect A. torrentium living in the mountains of the Danube Bend

ROUNDTABLE SESSION 4: THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR THE EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN NATIVE CRAYFISH

Most current approaches to conservation focus on wide dissemination of information to the public. However, specific educational programmes are mostly lacking for Austropotamobius torrentium, which occurs in at least 19 countries of central and Eastern Europe and is often found outside Natura 2000 protected sites. A coordinated series of regional leaflets on its biology, role as environmental indicator and heritage importance is needed. A questionnaire on public awareness of crayfish across Europe showed major regional differences. Scandinavian countries, where crayfish are important economically and socially, generally showed greatest public awareness, reinforced by easily available documentation. Elsewhere, availability of information is patchy or non-existent. To generate awareness and help counter loss of native stocks, basic information should be accurate and widely available across Europe, both for decision makers and the general public