2019 Ecosystem Transformation 2 (3), 24–31
The features of narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) population development in Lake Sevan during 1996–2018
Evelina Kh. Ghukasyan , Hranush F. Melkonyan , Lilit G. Stepanyan , Norik S. Badalyan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23859/estr-190513Volume: 2
Number: 3
Pages: 24–31
Received: 13.05.2019
Accepted: 03.06.2019
Available online: 16.08.2019
Published: 12.09.2019
ISSN 2619-094X Print
ISSN 2619-0931 Online
The narrow-clawed crayfish, an invasive hydrobiont of Lake Sevan appeared in the lake due to accidental introduction having occupied almost the entire territory of Lake Sevan, finding favorable conditions for its existence. Investigation of the dynamics of narrow-clawed crayfish population development showed that since 2014 there has been a tendency in reduction of the crayfish population, which was the result of improper organization of the fishing process and deterioration of the ecosystem. Although the main factors limiting the distribution of crayfish in natural conditions are oxygen deficiency at great depths and the type of the bottom sediments, in recent years, the reason for reducing the stocks of narrow-clawed crayfish is the increased anthropogenic impact, in particular, the use of incorrect fishing gear.
Evelina Kh. Ghukasyan
Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, director of the institute
P. Sevak str. 7, Yerevan, 0014 Armenia
PhD in Biology
e_ghukasyan@yahoo.com
Hranush F. Melkonyan
Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, senior research scientist
P. Sevak str. 7, 0014, Yerevan, Armenia
Russian-Armenian University, associate professor
H. Emin str. 123, 0051, Yerevan, Armenia
PhD in Biology
Lilit G. Stepanyan
Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia
P. Sevak str. 7, Yerevan, 0014 Armenia
listeus@mail.ru
Norik S. Badalyan
Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, senior research scientist
P. Sevak str. 7, 0014, Yerevan, Armenia
PhD in Biology
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Keywords: Lake Sevan, narrow-clawed crayfish, crayfishing, commercial stocks
For citation: Ghukasyan, E.Kh. et al., 2019. The features of narrowclawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) population development in Lake Sevan during 1996–2018. Ecosystem Transformation 2 (3), 24–31.