Movement patterns of the white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes,in a tuscan stream

We analyzed spatial behavior in the white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, inhabiting a stream in Tuscany (Italy). Our study suggests an ov erall complex movement pattern, where nomadic movements are intercalated by stationary phases. There was a low rate of recapture within the stretch of stream inspected, suggesting either a tendency of the species to disperse or a mortality rate caused by predators or the loss of tags with molts. How ever, one part of the population showed a conservative use of space, as ind icated by I) more extensive movement during a 24-h cycle than during the on e-year cycle, 2) a weak tendency to return to the "home" pool if released a t a distance of 50 m, and 3) an equal distribution of up- and downstream mo vements. No correlation was found between either 1) the displacement from t he point of first capture and the length of time the specimen was followed through recaptures or 2) the number of captures and the maximum distance tr aveled.