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One of the most critical challenges in species distribution modelling is testing and validating various digitally derived environmental predictors (e.g., remote-sensing variables, topographic variables) by field data. Therefore, here we aimed to explore the value of soil properties in the spatial distribution of four European indigenous crayfish species. A database with 473 presence and absence locations in Romania for Austropotamobius bihariensis, A. torrentium, Astacus astacus and Pontastacus leptodactylus was used in relation to eight digitalised soil properties. Using random forest modelling, we found a preference for dense soils with lower coarse fragments content together with deeper sediment cover and higher clay values for A. astacus and P. leptodactylus. These descriptors trigger the need for cohesive soil river banks as the microenvironment for building their burrows. Conversely, species that can use banks with higher coarse fragments content, the highland species A. bihariensis and A. torrentium, prefer soils with slightly thinner sediment cover and lower density while not influenced by clay/sand content. Of all species, A. astacus was found related with higher erosive soils. The value of these soil-related digital descriptors may reside in the improvement of approaches in crayfish species distribution modelling to gain adequate conservation measures.
Andrei Dornik; Mihaela Constanța Ion; Marinela Adriana Chețan; Lucian Pârvulescu. Soil-Related Predictors for Distribution Modelling of Four European Crayfish Species. Water 2021, 13, 2280 .
AMA StyleAndrei Dornik, Mihaela Constanța Ion, Marinela Adriana Chețan, Lucian Pârvulescu. Soil-Related Predictors for Distribution Modelling of Four European Crayfish Species. Water. 2021; 13 (16):2280.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrei Dornik; Mihaela Constanța Ion; Marinela Adriana Chețan; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2021. "Soil-Related Predictors for Distribution Modelling of Four European Crayfish Species." Water 13, no. 16: 2280.
Multiple causes can determine the disturbance of natural equilibrium in a population of a species, with a common one being the presence of invasive competitors. Invasives can drive native species to the resettlement of the trophic position, changing reproduction strategies or even daily normal behaviours. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that more effective anatomical features of an intruder (Faxonius limosus) come with increased boldness behaviour, contributing to their invasion success in competition against the native species (Pontastacus leptodactylus). We tested the boldness of specimens representing the two species by video-based assessment of crayfish individuals’ attempts to leave their settlement microenvironment. The experiment was followed by a series of measurements concerning chelae biometry, force and muscle energetics. The native species was less expressive in terms of boldness even if it had larger chelae and better muscular tissue performance. In contrast, because of better biomechanical construction of the chelae, the invasive species was capable of twice superior force achievements, which expectedly explained its bolder behaviour. These findings suggest that, in interspecific agonistic interactions, the behaviour strategy of the invasive crayfish species is based on sheer physical superiority, whereas the native crayfish relies on intimidation display.
Lucian Pârvulescu; Dan Ioan Stoia; Kristian Miok; Mihaela Constanţa Ion; Adela Estera Puha; Melania Sterie; Mihajel Vereş; Ioan Marcu; Mirela Danina Muntean; Oana Maria Aburel. Force and Boldness: Cumulative Assets of a Successful Crayfish Invader. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 2021, 9, 1 .
AMA StyleLucian Pârvulescu, Dan Ioan Stoia, Kristian Miok, Mihaela Constanţa Ion, Adela Estera Puha, Melania Sterie, Mihajel Vereş, Ioan Marcu, Mirela Danina Muntean, Oana Maria Aburel. Force and Boldness: Cumulative Assets of a Successful Crayfish Invader. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 2021; 9 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Pârvulescu; Dan Ioan Stoia; Kristian Miok; Mihaela Constanţa Ion; Adela Estera Puha; Melania Sterie; Mihajel Vereş; Ioan Marcu; Mirela Danina Muntean; Oana Maria Aburel. 2021. "Force and Boldness: Cumulative Assets of a Successful Crayfish Invader." Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9, no. : 1.
The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) represents a very recently evolved parthenogenetic freshwater crayfish species that has invaded diverse habitats in Europe and in Madagascar. However, population genetic analyses have been hindered by the homogeneous genetic structure of the population and the lack of suitable tools for data analysis. We have used whole-genome sequencing to characterize reference specimens from various known wild populations. In parallel, we established a whole-genome sequencing data analysis pipeline for the population genetic analysis of nearly monoclonal genomes. Our results provide evidence for systematic genetic differences between geographically separated populations and illustrate the emerging differentiation of the marbled crayfish genome. We also used mark-recapture population size estimation in combination with genetic data to model the growth pattern of marbled crayfish populations. Our findings uncover evolutionary dynamics in the marbled crayfish genome over a very short evolutionary timescale and identify the rapid growth of marbled crayfish populations as an important factor for ecological monitoring.
Olena Maiakovska; Ranja Andriantsoa; Sina Tönges; Carine Legrand; Julian Gutekunst; Katharina Hanna; Lucian Pârvulescu; Roman Novitsky; András Weiperth; Arnold Sciberras; Alan Deidun; Fabio Ercoli; Antonin Kouba; Frank Lyko. Genome analysis of the monoclonal marbled crayfish reveals genetic separation over a short evolutionary timescale. Communications Biology 2021, 4, 1 -7.
AMA StyleOlena Maiakovska, Ranja Andriantsoa, Sina Tönges, Carine Legrand, Julian Gutekunst, Katharina Hanna, Lucian Pârvulescu, Roman Novitsky, András Weiperth, Arnold Sciberras, Alan Deidun, Fabio Ercoli, Antonin Kouba, Frank Lyko. Genome analysis of the monoclonal marbled crayfish reveals genetic separation over a short evolutionary timescale. Communications Biology. 2021; 4 (1):1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOlena Maiakovska; Ranja Andriantsoa; Sina Tönges; Carine Legrand; Julian Gutekunst; Katharina Hanna; Lucian Pârvulescu; Roman Novitsky; András Weiperth; Arnold Sciberras; Alan Deidun; Fabio Ercoli; Antonin Kouba; Frank Lyko. 2021. "Genome analysis of the monoclonal marbled crayfish reveals genetic separation over a short evolutionary timescale." Communications Biology 4, no. 1: 1-7.
The long-term survival of a species requires, among other things, gene flow between populations. Approaches for the evaluation of fragmentation in the frame of freshwater habitats consider only a small amount of the information that combined demography and geography are currently able to provide. This study addresses two species of Austropotamobius crayfish in the light of population genetics, spatial ecology and protected areas of the Carpathians. Advancing the classical approaches, we defined ecological distances upon the rasterised river network as a surrogate of habitat resistance to migration, quantifying the deviations from the species´ suitability range for a set of relevant geospatial variables in each cell of the network. Molecular analyses revealed the populations of the two Austropotamobius crayfish species are clearly distinct, lacking hybridisation. Comparing pairs of populations, we found, in some cases, a strong disagreement regarding genetic and ecological distances, potentially due to human-mediated translocations or the geophysical phenomena of regressive erosion, which may have led to unexpected colonisation routes. Protected areas were found to offer appropriate local habitat conditions but failed to ensure connectivity. The methodology applied in this study allowed us to quantify the contribution of each geospatial (environmental) variable to the overall effect of fragmentation, and we found that water quality was the most important variable. A multilevel approach proved to reveal a better understanding of drivers behind the distribution patterns, which can lead to more adequate conservation measures.
Lucian Pârvulescu; Elena-Iulia Iorgu; Claudia Zaharia; Mihaela C. Ion; Alina Satmari; Ana-Maria Krapal; Oana-Paula Popa; Kristian Miok; Iorgu Petrescu; Luis-Ovidiu Popa. The future of endangered crayfish in light of protected areas and habitat fragmentation. Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleLucian Pârvulescu, Elena-Iulia Iorgu, Claudia Zaharia, Mihaela C. Ion, Alina Satmari, Ana-Maria Krapal, Oana-Paula Popa, Kristian Miok, Iorgu Petrescu, Luis-Ovidiu Popa. The future of endangered crayfish in light of protected areas and habitat fragmentation. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Pârvulescu; Elena-Iulia Iorgu; Claudia Zaharia; Mihaela C. Ion; Alina Satmari; Ana-Maria Krapal; Oana-Paula Popa; Kristian Miok; Iorgu Petrescu; Luis-Ovidiu Popa. 2020. "The future of endangered crayfish in light of protected areas and habitat fragmentation." Scientific Reports 10, no. 1: 1.
Aphanomyces astaci is the causative agent of crayfish plague, a disease responsible for numerous mass mortalities of native crayfish across Europe. In this study, we aim to extend knowledge about the A. astaci distribution in Eastern Europe, with specific focus on the River Dnieper (Ukraine), and summarize presently available information about the distribution of genotypes of this pathogen across the Western Palaearctic. We compiled published records about genotype groups of A. astaci, assembled them to a comprehensive map, and added the newly obtained results from Ukraine. The native narrow-clawed crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus was sampled from the river Dnieper in Svydivok and Kiev, ca 170 km apart, and screened for the pathogen presence in soft cuticles by quantitative PCR. We confirmed infections by A. astaci at both sites, with prevalence exceeding 30% and low to medium agent levels in infected crayfish. Pathogen genotyping confirmed the presence of the A. astaci haplogroup B, associated with the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus but also known from some chronically infected narrowclawed crayfish from Turkey and Moldova. Our results support the notion that latent A. astaci infections among narrow-clawed crayfish populations may be widespread in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Elena Ungureanu; Michaela MojŽiŠovÁ; Michiel Tangerman; Constanta Mihaela Ion; Lucian Parvulescu; Adam Petrusek. The spatial distribution ofAphanomyces astacigenotypes across Europe: introducing the first data from Ukraine. Freshwater Crayfish 2020, 25, 77 -87.
AMA StyleElena Ungureanu, Michaela MojŽiŠovÁ, Michiel Tangerman, Constanta Mihaela Ion, Lucian Parvulescu, Adam Petrusek. The spatial distribution ofAphanomyces astacigenotypes across Europe: introducing the first data from Ukraine. Freshwater Crayfish. 2020; 25 (1):77-87.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElena Ungureanu; Michaela MojŽiŠovÁ; Michiel Tangerman; Constanta Mihaela Ion; Lucian Parvulescu; Adam Petrusek. 2020. "The spatial distribution ofAphanomyces astacigenotypes across Europe: introducing the first data from Ukraine." Freshwater Crayfish 25, no. 1: 77-87.
Freshwater gammarids are known to colonise occasionally sinking-cave streams, providing contrasting morphological, life-history and ecophysiological adaptations compared to their surface conspecifics. In this study, a subterranean and a surface population of the species Gammarus balcanicus was surveyed for one year in a sinking-cave stream from the Western Carpathians (Romania). The results showed that the cave-dwelling population comprised individuals that were significantly larger compared to their surface conspecifics, had larger body-size at sexual maturity and that the females produced fewer, but larger eggs, compared to the population situated outside the cave. The trophic position and the omnivory were significantly higher for the cave-dwelling compared to surface population and the elemental imbalance for C:P molar ratios lower, but similar for C:N. However, the subterranean population did not present troglomorphic characters or longer lifespan as known for other cave-surface paired crustaceans. This, together with the rather extensive hydrological connection of the habitats, suggests active gene-flow between populations and similar response to seasonality for body-size distributions, indicating that the observed ecophysiological and life-history differences are rather the consequence of phenotypic plasticity than the result of genetic adaptation.
Octavian Pacioglu; Ștefan-Adrian Strungaru; Nicoleta Ianovici; Marioara N. Filimon; Adrian Sinitean; Gabriel Iacob; Henrietta Barabas; Andrei Acs; Hanelore Muntean; Gabriel Plăvan; Ralf Schulz; Jochen P. Zubrod; Lucian Pârvulescu. Ecophysiological and life-history adaptations of Gammarus balcanicus (Schäferna, 1922) in a sinking-cave stream from Western Carpathians (Romania). Zoology 2020, 139, 125754 .
AMA StyleOctavian Pacioglu, Ștefan-Adrian Strungaru, Nicoleta Ianovici, Marioara N. Filimon, Adrian Sinitean, Gabriel Iacob, Henrietta Barabas, Andrei Acs, Hanelore Muntean, Gabriel Plăvan, Ralf Schulz, Jochen P. Zubrod, Lucian Pârvulescu. Ecophysiological and life-history adaptations of Gammarus balcanicus (Schäferna, 1922) in a sinking-cave stream from Western Carpathians (Romania). Zoology. 2020; 139 ():125754.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavian Pacioglu; Ștefan-Adrian Strungaru; Nicoleta Ianovici; Marioara N. Filimon; Adrian Sinitean; Gabriel Iacob; Henrietta Barabas; Andrei Acs; Hanelore Muntean; Gabriel Plăvan; Ralf Schulz; Jochen P. Zubrod; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2020. "Ecophysiological and life-history adaptations of Gammarus balcanicus (Schäferna, 1922) in a sinking-cave stream from Western Carpathians (Romania)." Zoology 139, no. : 125754.
Animals that face unusual situations react instinctively in order to efficiently adapt to changes in the environment. Persistence leads training and learning the developed solution, which can then be applied to similar challenges in the future. We experimented on adult narrow-clawed crayfish extracted from both lentic and lotic habitats. We proved that the latter were more prone to grabbing objects during acute exposure to water currents. Chronic exposure of specimens from lentic habitat to water currents led to intense training in clumping activity, gripping quickly to adherent side objects regardless of the origin (natural or artificial). The behaviour was significantly reduced after the trained specimens were returned to an environment without water currents for a four-week period. The results suggest that crayfish can learn a solution when faced with a disturbance; once the disturbance disappeared, the trained response was no longer needed and lost.
Mihaela C. Ion; Adela E. Puha; Tudor Suciu; Lucian Pârvulescu. Get a grip: unusual disturbances drive crayfish to improvise. Behaviour 2019, 157, 101 -120.
AMA StyleMihaela C. Ion, Adela E. Puha, Tudor Suciu, Lucian Pârvulescu. Get a grip: unusual disturbances drive crayfish to improvise. Behaviour. 2019; 157 (2):101-120.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMihaela C. Ion; Adela E. Puha; Tudor Suciu; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Get a grip: unusual disturbances drive crayfish to improvise." Behaviour 157, no. 2: 101-120.
Biological invasions represent a complex phenomenon driven by multiple factors. In this study, a real-time invasion process between a native (Pontastacus leptodactylus) and an invasive (Faxonius limosus) crayfish species was investigated in the Lower Danube (South-East Europe) through an interdisciplinary approach, by measuring various ecological, genetic, physiological and biometric endpoints. The results revealed that the prolonged competition in old invaded sites of the river (at least a decade) either drove the native species to extinction, or, unexpectedly, allowed its survival as highly fragmented populations. However, for the latter situation, several biological and ecological traits differed in the remnant populations: increased trophic position and elemental imbalance for two major macronutrients (C:N molar ratio), low growth, as strongly contracted trophic niche widths and low overlap degree with the invasive crayfish. The data suggest that the prolonged competition induced potential resource partitioning between species, potentially driving their coexistence, as the development of larger and heavier claws within the native males’ population. On the contrary, in more recently invaded sectors of the Lower Danube (3 years), the trophic niche of the native species was significantly larger compared to old invaded sites and characterised by high level of niche overlap, indicating almost identical diet with the invasive crayfish, but characterised by the lowest trophic position compared to other invasion sectors. The genetic diversity of the native crayfish populations was strongly reduced in the invaded sectors of the river, but without signs of genetic bottleneck, which may be explained by a drift-mutational equilibrium reached as a consequence of diminishing population size. Our findings suggest strong coexistence potential in the future for both species in the Lower Danube.
Octavian Pacioglu; Kathrin Theissinger; Andreea Alexa; Corina Samoilă; Ovidiu-Ioan Sîrbu; Anne Schrimpf; Jochen P. Zubrod; Ralf Schulz; Mălina Pîrvu; Sandra-Florina Lele; John I. Jones; Lucian Pârvulescu. Multifaceted implications of the competition between native and invasive crayfish: a glimmer of hope for the native’s long-term survival. Biological Invasions 2019, 22, 827 -842.
AMA StyleOctavian Pacioglu, Kathrin Theissinger, Andreea Alexa, Corina Samoilă, Ovidiu-Ioan Sîrbu, Anne Schrimpf, Jochen P. Zubrod, Ralf Schulz, Mălina Pîrvu, Sandra-Florina Lele, John I. Jones, Lucian Pârvulescu. Multifaceted implications of the competition between native and invasive crayfish: a glimmer of hope for the native’s long-term survival. Biological Invasions. 2019; 22 (2):827-842.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavian Pacioglu; Kathrin Theissinger; Andreea Alexa; Corina Samoilă; Ovidiu-Ioan Sîrbu; Anne Schrimpf; Jochen P. Zubrod; Ralf Schulz; Mălina Pîrvu; Sandra-Florina Lele; John I. Jones; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Multifaceted implications of the competition between native and invasive crayfish: a glimmer of hope for the native’s long-term survival." Biological Invasions 22, no. 2: 827-842.
Two complementary approaches are commonly used for analysing trophic interactions that allow inferences about consumed and assimilated resources: gut content (GCA) and stable isotope (SIA) analyses. We used these methods to assess the trophic ecology of a native (Pontastacus leptodactylus) and an invasive species (Faxonius limosus) of crayfish in the Lower Danube (Romania) by calculating five frequently used metrics (i.e. trophic position, omnivory index, elemental imbalance for C:N ratio, trophic niche width and overlap). The SIA approach indicated significantly different trophic niche widths between the crayfish species and potential resource partitioning that triggered lower niche overlap, aspects not depicted by GCA. The latter approach suggested higher omnivory indices and elemental imbalance for macronutrients, potentially because of high incidences of basal resources with low nitrogen content in the foreguts of both species. Although, as indicated by GCA, the two species seem to feed largely on the same resources, SIA suggested that the ingested food items were assimilated with differing efficiencies. These findings are of importance for studies of invasion biology, where the replacement of native species by invasive taxa is underpinned by mechanisms that should be explored by using the most appropriate approach.
Octavian Pacioglu; Jochen P. Zubrod; Ralf Schulz; John Iwan Jones; Lucian Pârvulescu. Two is better than one: combining gut content and stable isotope analyses to infer trophic interactions between native and invasive species. Hydrobiologia 2019, 839, 25 -35.
AMA StyleOctavian Pacioglu, Jochen P. Zubrod, Ralf Schulz, John Iwan Jones, Lucian Pârvulescu. Two is better than one: combining gut content and stable isotope analyses to infer trophic interactions between native and invasive species. Hydrobiologia. 2019; 839 (1):25-35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavian Pacioglu; Jochen P. Zubrod; Ralf Schulz; John Iwan Jones; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Two is better than one: combining gut content and stable isotope analyses to infer trophic interactions between native and invasive species." Hydrobiologia 839, no. 1: 25-35.
Octavian Pacioglu; West University of Timişoara; Nicoleta Ianovici; Mărioara Filimon; Adrian Sinitean; Gabriel Iacob; Henrietta Barabas; Alexandru Pahomi; Andrei Acs; Hanelore Muntean; Lucian Pârvulescu; Timișoara Romanian Waters National Administration. The multifaceted effects induced by floods on the macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting a sinking cave stream. International Journal of Speleology 2019, 48, 167 -177.
AMA StyleOctavian Pacioglu, West University of Timişoara, Nicoleta Ianovici, Mărioara Filimon, Adrian Sinitean, Gabriel Iacob, Henrietta Barabas, Alexandru Pahomi, Andrei Acs, Hanelore Muntean, Lucian Pârvulescu, Timișoara Romanian Waters National Administration. The multifaceted effects induced by floods on the macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting a sinking cave stream. International Journal of Speleology. 2019; 48 (2):167-177.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavian Pacioglu; West University of Timişoara; Nicoleta Ianovici; Mărioara Filimon; Adrian Sinitean; Gabriel Iacob; Henrietta Barabas; Alexandru Pahomi; Andrei Acs; Hanelore Muntean; Lucian Pârvulescu; Timișoara Romanian Waters National Administration. 2019. "The multifaceted effects induced by floods on the macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting a sinking cave stream." International Journal of Speleology 48, no. 2: 167-177.
Stream dwelling invertebrate populations are facing an ample array of stressors including the habitat imbalance caused by important floods. In this research we used a novel way to estimate the impact of floods upon the substrate, by utilising a remote variable named “flash-flood potential” (FFP), which accounts for the site slope and the average slope of the upstream catchment. The results showed that certain groups are sensitive to the influence of the FFP whereas other are not. We propose this remote variable as a surrogate for assessing stress imposed by floods and sediment scouring for lotic macroinvertebrates.
Octavian Pacioglu; Alina Satmari; Milca Petrovici; Mălina Pîrvu; Mirela Cîmpean; Karina Paula Battes; Sandra Florina Lele; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Lucian Pârvulescu. Flash-Floods Influence Macroinvertebrate Communities Distribution in Lotic Ecosystems. Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research 2019, 21, 45 -56.
AMA StyleOctavian Pacioglu, Alina Satmari, Milca Petrovici, Mălina Pîrvu, Mirela Cîmpean, Karina Paula Battes, Sandra Florina Lele, Angela Curtean-Bănăduc, Lucian Pârvulescu. Flash-Floods Influence Macroinvertebrate Communities Distribution in Lotic Ecosystems. Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research. 2019; 21 (1):45-56.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavian Pacioglu; Alina Satmari; Milca Petrovici; Mălina Pîrvu; Mirela Cîmpean; Karina Paula Battes; Sandra Florina Lele; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Flash-Floods Influence Macroinvertebrate Communities Distribution in Lotic Ecosystems." Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research 21, no. 1: 45-56.
Heterochely is an important feature in some marine decapod crustaceans, but it is seldom investigated in freshwater crayfish. In this study, we applied a biometrical analysis targeting wild populations of three European crayfish species, Astacus leptodactylus, Astacus astacus, and Austropotamobius torrentium, as well as one invasive North American species, Faxonius limosus. Field data were combined with video-recorded observations to understand the usage of chelae in laboratory experiments for A. leptodactylus and F. limosus. According to biometrical measurements, heterochely was evenly distributed between species and sexes in wild populations, leading to the assumption that there is no specific pattern in chela size. Moreover, we found that the ambidextrous usage of chelae is a commonly encountered behaviour in crayfish, since no significant relationship was found between their chelae and asymmetry. This behaviour could maximize the chances of survival for crayfish in general, since losing one or both chelae is often recorded in the wild.
Sandra-Florina Lele; Lucian Pârvulescu. Crayfish chelae usage suggests predominantly ambidextrous habitude. Crustaceana 2019, 92, 257 -267.
AMA StyleSandra-Florina Lele, Lucian Pârvulescu. Crayfish chelae usage suggests predominantly ambidextrous habitude. Crustaceana. 2019; 92 (3):257-267.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra-Florina Lele; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Crayfish chelae usage suggests predominantly ambidextrous habitude." Crustaceana 92, no. 3: 257-267.
Recent phylogeographic study pointed to the existence of highly divergent and endemic populations of the crayfish genus Austropotamobius in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. These populations may have split ∼15 Ma from the Dinarides and evolved in isolation due to the tectonic north-eastern movement of the Tisza-Dacia mega-unit (including the Apuseni Mountains) through the Pannonian Basin during the Miocene. Molecular and morphological evidence supports that these populations are a new species of crayfish, Austropotamobius bihariensis n. sp, named for the region of Biharia. The bPTP approach supported a new species clade by 0.89 Bayesian Support Value, diverging from the sister clade of Austropotamobius torrentium (haplogroup ZV) by 43 mutational steps in 582 base length nucleotides of COI mtDNA sequences. The differentiating morphological features are the lack of denticulation on the lower edge of the antennal scale, a significantly shorter bell-shaped rostrum, and fewer tubercles on the chelae palms than its relative. Its distribution is geographically restricted to upper sectors of the Criș rivers basins, western Apuseni Mountains, Romania and it prefers cleaner waters than A. torrentium. Conservation measures are highly recommended.
Lucian Pârvulescu. Introducing a new Austropotamobius crayfish species (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacidae): A Miocene endemism of the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Zoologischer Anzeiger 2019, 279, 94 -102.
AMA StyleLucian Pârvulescu. Introducing a new Austropotamobius crayfish species (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacidae): A Miocene endemism of the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 2019; 279 ():94-102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Introducing a new Austropotamobius crayfish species (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacidae): A Miocene endemism of the Apuseni Mountains, Romania." Zoologischer Anzeiger 279, no. : 94-102.
Attempts to obtain information from geospatial data in freshwater ecology is a highly challenging task requiring the development of new concepts and adequate tools. Conventionally, river networks are represented as collections of vectors, but they can also be thought of as a succession of raster cells corresponding to the digital elevation model of the landscape they traverse. Based on the principle that each cell in the river raster collects environmental influences from its upstream drainage basin, we defined a remote measure of the potential of pollution named RWQ (Remote Water Quality). We used the CORINE Land Cover categories found in the catchment area of each cell in the river network grouped by ecological relevance and weighted by their respective areas in the catchment. To refine the index to account for the proximity of potential pollution sources, we tested successive buffers of 1 km up to the full catchment of each investigated point, concluding that the RWQ calculated for the full catchment is the most suitable index. For implementation, we developed RIVERenhancer, a free Python-based ArcGIS tool making possible the enhancement of raster river networks with data extracted from various files. The reliability of RWQ was tested with the aid of in situ measurements of chemical and biological water quality obtained from several sources in Danube basin (Romania and Hungary). The strong correlation with field data shows that this index can be considered a surrogate to depict the quality of freshwater habitats and to analyse network heterogeneity. The strength of this concept comes from taking advantage of the dendritic nature of river networks, opening new directions of operations for large scale approaches concerning important issues in global ecology, biogeography and conservation.
Ionuţ Şandric; Alina Satmari; Claudia Zaharia; Milca Petrovici; Mirela Cîmpean; Karina-Paula Battes; Dragomir-Cosmin David; Octavian Pacioglu; András Weiperth; Blanka Gál; Mălina Pîrvu; Hanelore Muntean; Marian Neagul; Adrian Spătaru; Claudiu G. Toma; Lucian Pârvulescu. Integrating catchment land cover data to remotely assess freshwater quality: a step forward in heterogeneity analysis of river networks. Aquatic Sciences 2019, 81, 26 .
AMA StyleIonuţ Şandric, Alina Satmari, Claudia Zaharia, Milca Petrovici, Mirela Cîmpean, Karina-Paula Battes, Dragomir-Cosmin David, Octavian Pacioglu, András Weiperth, Blanka Gál, Mălina Pîrvu, Hanelore Muntean, Marian Neagul, Adrian Spătaru, Claudiu G. Toma, Lucian Pârvulescu. Integrating catchment land cover data to remotely assess freshwater quality: a step forward in heterogeneity analysis of river networks. Aquatic Sciences. 2019; 81 (2):26.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIonuţ Şandric; Alina Satmari; Claudia Zaharia; Milca Petrovici; Mirela Cîmpean; Karina-Paula Battes; Dragomir-Cosmin David; Octavian Pacioglu; András Weiperth; Blanka Gál; Mălina Pîrvu; Hanelore Muntean; Marian Neagul; Adrian Spătaru; Claudiu G. Toma; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2019. "Integrating catchment land cover data to remotely assess freshwater quality: a step forward in heterogeneity analysis of river networks." Aquatic Sciences 81, no. 2: 26.
Crayfish can be used as model organisms in phylogeographic and divergence time studies if reliable calibrations are available. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the phylogeography of the European stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) and includes samples from previously unstudied sites. Two mitochondrial markers were used to reveal evolutionary relationships among haplogroups throughout the species’ distributional range and to estimate the divergence time by employing both substitution rates and geological calibration methods. Our haplotype network reconstruction and phylogenetic analyses revealed the existence of a previously unknown haplogroup distributed in Romania's Apuseni Mountains. This haplogroup is closely related to others that are endemic in the Dinarides, despite their vast geographical separation (~600 km). The separation is best explained by the well‐dated tectonic displacement of the Tisza–Dacia microplate, which started in the Miocene (~16 Ma) and possibly carried part of the A. torrentium population to the current location of the Apuseni Mountains. This population may thus have been isolated from the Dinarides for a period of ca. 11 m.y. by marine and lacustrine phases of the Pannonian Basin. The inclusion of this geological event as a calibration point in divergence time analyses challenges currently accepted crayfish evolutionary time frames for the region, constraining the evolution of this area's crayfish to a much earlier date. We discuss why molecular clock calibrations previously employed to date European crayfish species divergences should therefore be reconsidered.
Lucian Pârvulescu; Jorge L. Pérez‐Moreno; Cristian Panaiotu; Lucian Drăguț; Anne Schrimpf; Ioana‐Diana Popovici; Claudia Zaharia; András Weiperth; Blanka Gál; Christoph D. Schubart; Heather Bracken‐Grissom. A journey on plate tectonics sheds light on European crayfish phylogeography. Ecology and Evolution 2019, 9, 1957 -1971.
AMA StyleLucian Pârvulescu, Jorge L. Pérez‐Moreno, Cristian Panaiotu, Lucian Drăguț, Anne Schrimpf, Ioana‐Diana Popovici, Claudia Zaharia, András Weiperth, Blanka Gál, Christoph D. Schubart, Heather Bracken‐Grissom. A journey on plate tectonics sheds light on European crayfish phylogeography. Ecology and Evolution. 2019; 9 (4):1957-1971.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Pârvulescu; Jorge L. Pérez‐Moreno; Cristian Panaiotu; Lucian Drăguț; Anne Schrimpf; Ioana‐Diana Popovici; Claudia Zaharia; András Weiperth; Blanka Gál; Christoph D. Schubart; Heather Bracken‐Grissom. 2019. "A journey on plate tectonics sheds light on European crayfish phylogeography." Ecology and Evolution 9, no. 4: 1957-1971.
The crayfish plague agent Aphanomyces astaci is one of the world's most threatening invasive species. Originally from North America, the pathogen is being imported alongside American crayfish species, which are used for various purposes. In this study, we investigated the marginal, currently known distribution area of the pathogen in Eastern Europe by sampling narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) and spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) populations. In addition, using specific real-time PCR, we tested several marine decapod species, which also occur in brackish waters of the Danube at the West coast of the Black Sea and the Dniester River basin. By sequencing the nuclear chitinase gene, mitochondrial rnnS/rnnL DNA and by genotyping using microsatellite markers, we identified the A. astaci haplogroups of highly infected specimens. The A. astaci DNA was detected in 9% of the investigated A. leptodactylus samples, both in invaded and non-invaded sectors, and in 8% of the studied O. limosus samples. None of the marine decapods tested positive for A. astaci. The results revealed that narrow-clawed crayfish from the Dniester River carried the A. astaci B-haplogroup, while A. astaci from the Danube Delta belonged to the A- and B-haplogroups. In the invaded sector of the Danube, we also identified the A-haplogroup. Microsatellite analysis revealed a genotype identical to the genotype Up. It might be that some of the detected A. astaci haplogroups are relics from older outbreaks in the late 19th century, which may have persisted as a chronic infection for several decades in crayfish populations.
Jörn Panteleit; Nina Sophie Keller; Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo; Jenny Makkonen; Laura Martín-Torrijos; Viorica Patrulea; Mălina Pîrvu; Cristina Preda; Anne Schrimpf; Lucian Pârvulescu. Hidden sites in the distribution of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in Eastern Europe: Relicts of genetic groups from older outbreaks? Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 2018, 157, 117 -124.
AMA StyleJörn Panteleit, Nina Sophie Keller, Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo, Jenny Makkonen, Laura Martín-Torrijos, Viorica Patrulea, Mălina Pîrvu, Cristina Preda, Anne Schrimpf, Lucian Pârvulescu. Hidden sites in the distribution of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in Eastern Europe: Relicts of genetic groups from older outbreaks? Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 2018; 157 ():117-124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJörn Panteleit; Nina Sophie Keller; Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo; Jenny Makkonen; Laura Martín-Torrijos; Viorica Patrulea; Mălina Pîrvu; Cristina Preda; Anne Schrimpf; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2018. "Hidden sites in the distribution of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in Eastern Europe: Relicts of genetic groups from older outbreaks?" Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 157, no. : 117-124.
Successful invasive species compete for the same available resources with related native species, frequently driving the latter to the cusp of extirpation because of a lack of adaptive response. In this paper we analysed the behavioural relationships between two species of crayfish, the native Astacus leptodactylus and the invasive Orconectes limosus in an ongoing invasion process in the Lower Danube, in Eastern Europe. We tested the species’ ability to acquire shelter and food in laboratory experiments in both intra- and interspecific confrontations. The dominant behaviour of the invasive species is obvious even towards its own congeners, while the native species display a more tolerant conspecific behaviour. With respect to interspecific confrontation, the invasive crayfish males and females were inclined to sex-specific dominance regarding shelters. A roughly balanced behaviour was noted for intersexual confrontations. The results of this study also highlight that the occupancy of a shelter is more disputed than food resources, which appear to be opportunistically acquired. In the context of the current invasion process, we hypothesised that the effect caused by interference competition might lead to a decline of the native species. Further investigations may reveal if there is any hope for recovery of the native species.
Sandra-Fiorina Lele; Lucian Pârvulescu. Experimental evidence of the successful invader Orconectes limosus outcompeting the native Astacus leptodactylus in acquiring shelter and food. Biologia 2017, 72, 877 -885.
AMA StyleSandra-Fiorina Lele, Lucian Pârvulescu. Experimental evidence of the successful invader Orconectes limosus outcompeting the native Astacus leptodactylus in acquiring shelter and food. Biologia. 2017; 72 (8):877-885.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra-Fiorina Lele; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2017. "Experimental evidence of the successful invader Orconectes limosus outcompeting the native Astacus leptodactylus in acquiring shelter and food." Biologia 72, no. 8: 877-885.
Lucian Pârvulescu; Andrei Togor; Sandra-Florina Lele; Sebastian Scheu; Daniel Șinca; Jörn Panteleit. First established population of marbled crayfish Procambarus fallax (Hagen, 1870) f. virginalis (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Romania. BioInvasions Records 2017, 6, 357 -362.
AMA StyleLucian Pârvulescu, Andrei Togor, Sandra-Florina Lele, Sebastian Scheu, Daniel Șinca, Jörn Panteleit. First established population of marbled crayfish Procambarus fallax (Hagen, 1870) f. virginalis (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Romania. BioInvasions Records. 2017; 6 (4):357-362.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Pârvulescu; Andrei Togor; Sandra-Florina Lele; Sebastian Scheu; Daniel Șinca; Jörn Panteleit. 2017. "First established population of marbled crayfish Procambarus fallax (Hagen, 1870) f. virginalis (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Romania." BioInvasions Records 6, no. 4: 357-362.
This review summarises the main ecotonal properties of chalk hyporheic zone (CHZ), using a holistic approach on both structure and functionality of this habitat. The corroborated results suggest that the CHZ represents a typically shallow habitat (approx. 40–50 cm deep), with a homogenous distribution of both fauna and chemistry between heads and tails of riffles (putative down and, respectively, upwelling zones). Despite being groundwater fed, the CHZ is equally influenced by surface waters, chemically and biologically. However, despite its shallowness, the CHZ plays a very important role in nutrients (re)cycling and in the energy flux towards river ecosystems, fuelling benthic food webs with surface-derived macronutrients and subsurface chemosynthetic C. Although groundwater variation influences strongly the river flow during winter, the effects on interstitial fauna dynamic are limited, suggesting the active role of CHZ played in the stochastic events of down/upward migration of fauna across habitats. Overall, the CHZ represents a confined, but critical habitat in the structure and functionality of chalk river ecosystems and fulfils most properties of a true ecotone.
Octavian Pacioglu; Lucian Pârvulescu. The chalk hyporheic zone: a true ecotone? Hydrobiologia 2016, 790, 1 -12.
AMA StyleOctavian Pacioglu, Lucian Pârvulescu. The chalk hyporheic zone: a true ecotone? Hydrobiologia. 2016; 790 (1):1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOctavian Pacioglu; Lucian Pârvulescu. 2016. "The chalk hyporheic zone: a true ecotone?" Hydrobiologia 790, no. 1: 1-12.
The strength of a population resides in the resilience of its individuals and is closely related to the stability of its habitat. Stream macroinvertebrates are sensitive to environmental changes concerning habitat stability, thus they require shelter to prevent drift during severe floods. We propose a novel approach to estimate the impact of flash-floods upon the substrate, by introducing a variable named “flash-flood potential” (FFP), which accounts for the site slope and the average slope of the upstream catchment. We investigate the impact of this variable on the distribution of two important crayfish species, Austropotamobius torrentium and Astacus astacus, in Romania. We focus on the connection between crayfish abundance and FFP, and also on the role of the individuals’ body size in shelter allocation, considering shelter stability as a key factor in coping with the disturbances. The results show that both species are sensitive to influence of the FFP, A. torrentium apparently having a slight advantage. The size of populations visibly decreased with the increase of FFP, those in the upper range having few individuals, which were mainly found in very stable shelters. Individual analyses reveal that the most durable shelters were generally occupied by the largest crayfish. We hypothesise that the competition for shelter is an indirect driver for preventing the drift of crayfish populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Lucian Pârvulescu; Claudia Zaharia; Marius-Ioan Groza; Ovidiu Csillik; Alina Satmari; Lucian Dragut. Flash-flood potential: a proxy for crayfish habitat stability. Ecohydrology 2016, 9, 1507 -1516.
AMA StyleLucian Pârvulescu, Claudia Zaharia, Marius-Ioan Groza, Ovidiu Csillik, Alina Satmari, Lucian Dragut. Flash-flood potential: a proxy for crayfish habitat stability. Ecohydrology. 2016; 9 (8):1507-1516.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucian Pârvulescu; Claudia Zaharia; Marius-Ioan Groza; Ovidiu Csillik; Alina Satmari; Lucian Dragut. 2016. "Flash-flood potential: a proxy for crayfish habitat stability." Ecohydrology 9, no. 8: 1507-1516.