Taxonomy
Astacus leptodactylus | Turkish Crayfish
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Least concern
Legal status
Third Schedule listed species under Regulations 49 & 50 in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. (Note: Regulation 50 not yet enacted). Listed as a schedule 9 species under Articles 15 & 15A of the Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 (Article 15A not yet enacted).
Native status
Non-native - Absent
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of High Impact
Irish status
Absent
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Pet/aquarium species, Live food and live bait
Introduction pathways - 2
Transport Stowaway
Introduction pathways subclass - 2
Angling/fishing equipment
Invasive score
18
Species Biology
Identification
Freshwater crustacean, generally sandy yellow to dark green, though may be orange or even blue, up to 16cm in length claws generally the same colour as the body. Distinguished from white clawed crayfish by long narrow claws.
Detailed guide to crayfish identification available at
www.biodiversityireland.ie/crayfish-identification.
Ecology
Unlike North American species of crayfish theTurkish crayfish is susceptible to the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) and is unlikely to be a source of introduction, unless diseased individuals are discarded into a waterway. The impact of Astacus leptodactylus is likely to be through competition with the native white clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) but it is difficult to assess how the mechanism of those impacts. This is a result of studies of competition in crayfish generally comparing imnpacts of North American species that are carriers but not affected by the crayfish plague and susceptible European species, such that the competition is highly asymmetrical.
Habitat
Inland surface waters
Pathway and vector description
There is no natural means for the Turkish crayfish to enter Ireland and accidental introduction in contaminated gear or as a transport contaminant are highly unlikely. The most likely pathway of introduction into Ireland is intentional release of crayfish into waterways, escape of live animals used as food or dumping of an aquarium specimen into a waterway.
Mechanism of impact
Competition, Disease transmission
Broad environment
Freshwater
Habitat description
Found in any type of freshwater site
Species group
Invertebrate
Native region
Europe
Similar species
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Absent
Native distribution
Native to Europe, eastern Russia and the Middle East but has been introduced into large parts of western Europe, though still absent from Ireland, Scandinavia and Iberia (Souty-Grosset et al. 2006).
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
Report any sightings of non-native crayfish to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Souty-Grosset, C., Holdich, D.M., Noël, P.Y., Reynolds, J.D. and Haffner, P. (2006). Atlas of Crayfish in Europe. Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris.
Relevant links
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species