Impact of dietary protein content on growth of the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet, 1858) (Decapoda, Astacidae) in captive rearing for conservation

Abstract The white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes is endangered throughout its entire biogeographic range in Europe due to infection with Aphanomyces astaci (crayfish plague) and habitat deterioration. Ex situ propagation of increasing importance safeguard genetic resources enable restocking measures after the pathogen’s disappearance. This study aimed quantify impact crude protein content on growth response survival crayfish as optimal efficiency captive rearing has remained largely unexplored. Three separate 80 day feeding trials were conducted: juvenile monosex mixed sex fed medium high diets, adult low diets. Survival, weight gain carapace length measured bi-weekly during trials. Growth relative cephalothorax assemblages was significantly higher for diet (Mdn = 19.4) than 15.2, , ) an average increase 18.3% compared 16.1% diet, respectively. However, there no significant difference assemblages. All data not Thus, obvious advantage a A. case assemblage can reduce terms size.