Tehnician/Laborant

Project objectives

O1: To assess genetic diversity and ecological requirements of the idle crayfish populations

We aimed for this project to move forward to next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches to

evaluate the genetic diversity and the relationship between populations with molecular analysis

based on genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This method has the advantage of

no requirement for genomic resources background. Within this objective, we will extend the

approach of corroborating the population genetics with the species’ ecology, to address

scientifically sound hypotheses in the field of evolutionary aspects of this endemic crayfish

species (e.g., allopatric speciation by isolation or spatial patterns driven purely by recent

environmental variables). Each of these approaches, taken separately, would lead to results of

significantly lower scientific relevance.

O2: To establish the conservation measures for idle crayfish populations

Here we aims to find the best way to sustain the long-term protection of A. bihariensis

populations. In this regard, identification of some ecologically stabile sites, which exhibit the

best quality of biological populations with the lowest invasion risk, is targeted. Further

identification of these natural ark sites will guarantee a ‘bank of specimens’ - highly valuable

assets available for re-colonization in the event of worst-case scenarios . Being a newly

described species, no conservation status is available yet for A. bihariensis. Hence, according

to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ relevant criteria, trends in population and the quality

of habitat are critical in establishing the appropriate status. Our plan is to estimate population

trends by using molecular data obtained in O1, followed by specific analyses to assess the

habitat fragmentation, the pressure of invasive crayfish species and the carried pathogen A.

astaci, explored by applying distribution modelling methods. To enhance detectability, the field

distribution will be investigated by both traditional and eDNA methods, reducing the amount of

false negative records.

Project website: http://www.idle.crayfish.ro