Cheliped loss and abnormalities of the narrow-clawed crayfish, Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Astacidae)

Abstract

Heterochely is an important phenomenon in decapod crustaceans. Nevertheless, it was rarely examined in freshwater crayfish. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate cheliped loss and abnormalities of the narrow-clawed crayfish, Pontastacus leptodactylus. The crayfish samples were captured using 17 mm mesh-sized fyke-nets from Atikhisar Reservoir in Çanakkale, Turkey between July 2020 and June 2021. The cheliped loss was classified and compared between sexes and length groups. The cheliped surface was calculated for each specimen for both the right and left cheliped. Results of the study indicate that the percentages of the sampled individuals were 5.46% for the right cheliped missing group, 5.23% for the left cheliped missing group, 10.37% for both chelipeds missing group, and 78.94% for both chelipeds present group. There was a statistical difference between cheliped loss and size groups (p < 0.05). Although cheliped loss is almost non-existent in low-size groups (10.0-29.9 mm), it reaches high values in the 40.0-69.9 mm size groups. The most intense loss occurs in the 40.0-49.9 and 50.0-59.9 mm size groups. It was determined that 10.69% of the sampled individuals examined had a single cheliped (10.03% female, 11.14% male). A statistically significant difference was found between cheliped loss and sex (p < 0.05). The percentage of female and male individuals with no chelipeds is 9.83% for females and 10.73% for males, and with both chelipeds it is 80.14% for females and 78.14% for males. While the number of abnormalities observed in chelipeds was higher in males, abnormalities in both chelipeds were higher in females. Moreover, it was found that cheliped loss significantly differed according to the months of collection (p < 0.05). Cheliped losses increased in July, August, and September when feeding was comparatively intense. In conclusion, the fact that the individuals were obtained alive, was an indication that the abnormalities detected did not significantly affect their vital activities directly. However, morphological abnormalities in the appendages, especially in the chelipeds, may impair their functional use compared to a healthy cheliped. This abnormal condition is assumed to share the disadvantageous limitations experienced by the absence of a cheliped.

Keywords
Abnormalities; asymmetry; claw; heterochely; limb loss