Stetigkeit und Gefährdung von Lepidurus apus (L.) und Eubranchipus (Siphonophanes) grubei DYBOWSKI (Crustacea: Notostraca, Anostraca)

Abstract

GROSSE, W.-R.; ENGELMANN, M.: Continuity and endangerment of the Branchiopods Lepidurus apus (L.) and Eubranchipus (Siphonophanes) grubei DYBOWSKI (Crustacea: Notostraca, Anostraca). – Hercynia N.F. 35 (2002): 123-136.We documented the interval between two consecutive observations of the two branchiopod species at the same habitates between 1980 and 2001. Our data show that the average intervals between two consecutive observations were 2.8 years for Lepidurus apus and 2.4 years for Eubranchipus grubei. Furthermore, the attempt to artificially transfer Lepidurus apus and Eubranchipus grubei to new habitats were analyzed. Successful transfer of Eubranchipus was reported from two separate localities. However, in one locality the population is now extinct because of a progressive succession of the habitat. In contrast, none of the attempts to transfer Lepidurus were successful. Taken together, the results of the present study show, that in natural habitats an interval of several years between two successive observations is typical for the investigated populations. Protection of the original habitats appears to be the most promising tool to conserve the species, based on our findings that especially in the case of Lepidurus apus, the attempts to relocate this species to new habitats are rather unsuccessful.