Edel Krebs, Ecrevisse à pattes rouges, The Noble Crayfish Scientific Name: Astacus astacus Species Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Name(s): English – Noble Crayfish, Red-footed Crayfish, European Crayfish, Broad-clawed Crayfish, Red-clawed Crayfish, Broad-fingered Crayfish, River Crayfish French – Écrevisse á Pattes Rouges, Écrevisse Fluviatile, Écrevisse Noble Synonym(s): Astacus astacus subspecies colchicus Kessler, 1876 Astacus fluviatilis Fabricius, 1775 Cancer astacus Linnaeus, 1758 Potamobius fluviatilis subspecies balcanicus S. Karaman, 1929 Taxonomic Notes: Astacus astacus is comprised of 3 sub-species: Astacus astacus astacus, Astacus astacus balcanicus, Astacus astacus colchicus. Justification: The Noble Crayfish (Astacus astacus) is a widespread species, it has undergone significant declines in population numbers due to non-indigenous species, crayfish plague, habitat loss and over-harvesting. Estimates of rate of decline in Sweden, Finland and Norway are as high as 78%, ~20% and 61% respectively over a 3 generation length period. Similar rates of decline are being seen within a number of other countries. Globally, this species is estimated to be declining at a rate of 50-70%, however in some parts of its range numbers are stable and there have been some successful re-stocking programs so the true rate of decline may in fact be slightly lower (40 - 50%) thereby qualifying this species for a listing under Vulnerable under criterion A2ad. History: 1996 – Vulnerable

• published: 07 Jul 2015
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