A prelimenary study on fecundity of fresh water crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) in Arass water reservior, I.R. Iran

A research study was conducted to investigate the number of ovarian eggs and estimate potential egg production of A. leptodactylus. In this study, mean number ovarian eggs ۴۲۰.۴۱±۴۲.۵۱ with the average total length to ۱۲۱.۹۳±۴.۲۷ mm (n=۵۸). The mean pleopodal eggs were ۳۲۲.۰۴±۲۹.۶۱ with average total length of ۱۱۹.۱۴±۳.۹۴ mm (n=۶۷). Comparison of the fecundity rate in different population of A. leptodactylus in different areas revealed that the Arass crayfish has a greater fecundity rate than others. The discrepancy between ovarian eggs and pleopodal eggs were ۲۱% in Arass reservoir.

Keywords:

Crayfish , Astacus leptodactylus , Fecundity , Monitoring programms