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Louisiana Red Swamp Crawfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), in Coto Donana National Park (Seville, Huelva: Spain)
No full textIntroduction of the Louisiana red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), into Spanish waters was precipitated by depletion of the native Spanish crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet). Final collapse of the original crayfish inudstry in Spain was caused by the fungal plague, Aphanomycosis astaci. The introduction of P. clarkii is a biological success. The reproductive range of this crawfish now extends into Coto Donana National Park. Concern over the potential negative impact from the crawfish has been expressed. Crawfish are limited in their growth in the northwestern limits of the park. Limiting factors have been found to be temperature, water quality and food resources. In the central area of the park, growth rates are greater than in other areas. The soil salinity of the marsh area of the park suggests that reproduction in this area is limited by increased osmotic stress to the crawfish. Other areas which do not support reproductive populations of Procambarus have an erratic water supply and/or sandy parent soil. Impact of the crawfish on the park is not clear. Food resources may become depleted in humid years when water quality is more favorable