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Article

Diversity and Distribution of the Inland Water Decapods of Sicily (Crustacea, Malacostraca)

by
Luca Vecchioni
1,†,
Francesco Paolo Faraone
2,†,
Fabio Stoch
3,
Marco Arculeo
1 and
Federico Marrone
1,*
1
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
2
Viale Regione Siciliana S.E. 532, 90129 Palermo, Italy
3
Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, C.P. 160/12, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Diversity 2022, 14(4), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040246
Submission received: 16 March 2022 / Revised: 24 March 2022 / Accepted: 26 March 2022 / Published: 27 March 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2022)
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Versions Notes

Abstract

:
The current knowledge of Sicilian inland water decapod malacostracans is scarce and an updated synopsis on species distribution is lacking. Therefore, we reviewed the checklist and recent distribution of Sicilian inland water decapods based on published and unpublished records and novel observations with the aim of providing an exhaustive repository, also to be used as a sound baseline for future surveys. Overall, five native decapod species occur in the study area, i.e., the atyid shrimp Atyaephyra desmarestii, the palaemonid shrimps Palaemon adspersus, P. antennarius, and P. elegans, and the freshwater crab Potamon fluviatile, and their current local distributions are described. In addition, three alien species were recorded: the common yabby Cherax destructor and the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, strictly linked to inland waters, and the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, a mainly marine species that can also colonise the lower stretches of rivers and coastal brackish waters. The collected data suggest the existence of a partial segregation of native versus non-native species, with the latter currently confined to coastal water bodies and the lower stretches of rivers. Moreover, the exclusively freshwater caridean A. desmarestii and P. antennarius show a parapatric distribution in the study area, which may suggest the existence of mutual exclusion phenomena. The results obtained raise some concerns about the effects of alien species on the native biota, and dedicated monitoring and management strategies should be implemented in order to better understand and mitigate their impact.

1. Introduction

Despite their limited extent and their intrinsically vulnerable nature, inland water ecosystems are among the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth [1]. At the same time, they are particularly susceptible to external disturbances [2]. Changes in their hydroperiod or the introduction of non-indigenous species are known to cause severe impacts on these fragile ecosystems, leading to the local or global extinction of several taxa [3,4,5,6]. The vulnerability of inland water ecosystems is particularly high in islands and in arid and semi-arid regions, where they are extremely fragile and water demand for human needs is high [3,7,8]. In fact, human activities have often dramatically modified inland water ecosystems, leading to significant habitat alteration and to the decline or loss of freshwater biological diversity [9,10].
To date, the invertebrate fauna inhabiting the inland waters of Sicily is inadequately and unevenly known. Although detailed information is available for some taxa (e.g., non-malacostracan crustaceans; see [11,12,13]), a wide knowledge gap still remains to be filled for the other taxa, thus preventing an accurate picture of the current biological diversity to be obtained. This is the case of the decapod malacostracans, which have never been the subject of an accurate synoptic study. In the frame of this work, we carried out an accurate review of the current knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of decapods in Sicilian inland waters, with a focus on the last four decades.

2. Materials and Methods

The study area considered in this work includes Sicily and the small circum-Sicilian islands.
Since our purpose was to obtain information regarding the current distribution of the species in the study area, the review of bibliographical data was limited to papers published after 1980. Therefore, pre-1980 data stored in the CKmap database [14] were not considered. In addition, a set of unpublished occurrence data is reported herein based on observations made by Filippo Amato (F.A.), Andrea Cusmano (A.C.), Reinhard Gerecke (R.G.), Gabriele Giacalone (G.G.), Federico Marrone (F.M.), Fiorenza Provenzano (F.P.), Francesco Paolo Faraone (F.P.F.), Salvatore Russotto (S.R.), Giuseppe Urso (G.U.), and Luca Vecchioni (L.V.). All available data were critically evaluated and, when considered reliable, included in the analyses.
Decapod specimens collected in the frame of this study were identified according to Williams [15], Froglia [16], González-Ortegón and Cuesta [17], Holdich and Vigneux [18], and González-Ortegón et al. [19].
Occurrence localities were used to produce distribution maps based on the UTM 10 × 10 Km grid cells (zone 33N, datum ED50) using the QGIS freeware software v. 3.18 (QGIS Development Team, 2022 [20]).
Based on the complete dataset, cumulative curves describing the increase of sites and grid cells occupied by alien species, as well as alien species richness, are presented.

3. Results

Overall, the occurrence of eight decapod species belonging to six families was reported in 93 sites (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 and Table 1). The first record of an alien decapod in Sicilian inland waters dates to 2002 [21], and a sharply increasing rate of the number of alien species and their distribution sites was observed from 2012 onwards (Figure 3). A checklist of inland water Sicilian decapod fauna is presented below.
  • Infraorder Astacidea Latreille, 1802
  • Family Parastacidae Huxley, 1879
  • Genus Cherax Erichson, 1846
  • Cherax destructor Clark, 1936—Figure 2A
  • References
  • [22]
  • Remarks
  • The common yabby Cherax destructor is native to south-eastern Australia and experienced a rapid human-mediated range expansion, colonizing nearly the whole of Australia and Tasmania [23]. Introduced in Europe for aquaculture purposes, the species has been recorded in the wild in Spain [24], France [25,26] and southern Ireland (Julian Reynolds, pers. observ.). In Italy, the common yabby was reported to occur only in Latium [27], where the species disappeared a few years after its discovery possibly due to the crayfish plague Aphanomyces astaci Schikora, 1906 [28], and in Sicily in the Costanzo Stream (province of Syracuse; [22]—one site, one cell—Figure 2A). However, as reported by Vecchioni et al. [29], the species was not observed in the Costanzo Stream in recent years. Further dedicated surveys aimed at confirming its possible local extinction in Sicily are needed.
  • Family Cambaridae Hobbs, 1942
  • Genus Procambarus Ortmann, 1905
  • Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852)—Figure 2B
  • References
  • [21,22,30,31,32,33]. F.A., A.C., F.P.F., F.P. and G.U., pers. observ.
  • Remarks
  • The North American red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is one of the most widespread invasive crayfish species worldwide, and its dramatic impact on native biota is well known [34,35]. In Italy, the species has had an appalling expansion, due to both natural and anthropogenic determinants, since its first introduction in northern Italy [36], with a remarkable invasion rate [35]. To date, the red swamp crayfish has been observed in Sicily in both lotic and lentic water bodies (reported for 21 sites falling into 10 cells—Figure 2B), within a range of 1 to 388 m of altitude. Its local distribution is ascribed to multiple independent introductions [33]. The species has been reported to act as a vector of toxins and heavy metals to higher trophic levels and is considered responsible for biodiversity loss in the invaded ecosystems (see [37] and references therein).
  • Infraorder Brachyura Latreille, 1802
  • Family Portunidae Rafinesque, 1815
  • Genus Callinectes Stimpson, 1860
  • Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896—Figure 2C
  • References
  • [38,39]
  • Remarks
  • Considered one of the 100 worst invasive alien species that occur in the Mediterranean Sea [40], the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, native to the western Atlantic Ocean, has been introduced nearly worldwide [41]. In Italy, the species is widespread and has been reported in the open sea, brackish coastal lagoons, and estuaries [41,42]. In Sicilian inland waters, the species has been recorded with very high densities in coastal ponds at Vendicari [38] and in two rivers (i.e., Irminio and Imera Meridionale [39]) (three sites, three cells—Figure 2C), casting some concerns about its possible impact on the Sicilian pond turtle Emys trinacris Fritz et al. 2005 [43,44], an endemic species occurring both in Vendicari coastal ponds and in the Imera Meridionale river.
  • Family Potamidae Ortmann, 1896
  • Genus Potamon Savigny, 1816
  • Potamon fluviatile (Herbst, 1758 [in Herbst, 1782–1790])—Figure 2D
  • References
  • [14,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54]. F.P.F., F.M. and S.R. pers. observ.; R.G., Unpublished data.
  • Remarks
  • Potamon fluviatile belongs to the subgenus Euthelphusa Pretzmann, 1962, which occurs in the western Mediterranean area and on the Balkan peninsula and includes P. pelops [55] and P. algeriense Bott, 1967 [56,57]. P. fluviatile is the only native freshwater crab species occurring in peninsular Italy and the Sicilian–Maltese archipelago, where it is not homogeneously distributed despite its striking molecular homogeneity [53]. The species is absent in Sardinia and on smaller islands [16,58,59,60]. Its current distribution seems to be due to a natural spread of the species, which occurred about 15,000 years ago [50,53,55]. The freshwater crab is reported for 119 sites falling into 69 cells (Figure 2D), where it colonizes both lotic and lentic water bodies, within an observed range of 16–1200 m in altitude. According to the IUCN red list, the species is assessed as “Near threatened” (https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/134293/0 (accessed on 2 March 2022), [60]) since it has undergone a considerable rarefaction and reduction in abundance within the entire distribution area due to habitat destruction, pollution, and overbuilding [61]. The species is neither mentioned in the “Habitats Directive” (EU Directive 92/43/CEE), nor is it protected at a national level.
  • Infraorder Caridae Dana, 1852
  • Family Atyidae De Haan, 1849
  • Genus Atyaephyra de Brito Capello, 1867
  • Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831)—Figure 2E
  • References
  • [14,48,49,62,63,64]. F.M., pers. observ.; R.G., Unpublished data.
  • Remarks
  • The caridean A. desmarestii is a eurythermal and euryhaline species widespread throughout the Maghreb and western Europe, whereas the closely related shrimp populations occurring in the Balkan Peninsula and in the Middle East belong to different species [65]. In Italy, the species occurs in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in lakes and rivers on the Tyrrhenian watershed (Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, Campania, Basilicata), in Sardinia, and in Sicily [66]. In Sicily, the species has been found between 3 and 620 m a.s.l. in both lentic and lotic water bodies (31 sites, 21 cells—Figure 2E), mainly in oxygen-rich waters with the presence of macrophytes, although the species has also been routinely observed along the muddy shores of artificial reservoirs. Garcia-Muñoz et al. [64] and Christodoulou et al. [65] included some Sicilian specimens in their phylogeographical analyses, showing the absence of a clear geographically based pattern of genetic diversity. According to the IUCN red list, the species has been assessed as being of “Least Concern” (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/197932/2505632 (accessed on 2 March 2022), [67]).
  • Family Palaemonidae Rafinesque, 1815
  • Genus Palaemon Weber, 1795
  • Palaemon adspersus Rathke, 1836—Figure 2F
  • References
  • [49]
  • Remarks
  • The Baltic shrimp Palaemon adspersus is an euryhaline species widely distributed in lagoons, estuaries, and littoral zones of the Mediterranean and Baltic seas. The species was introduced in the Caspian and Aral Sea, and in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean [19,68]. The only Sicilian population known to date was found by Ferrito [49] in the Simeto River (province of Catania—one site, one cell—Figure 2F), but the species is likely much more widespread in Sicilian estuaries.
  • Palaemon antennarius H. Milne Edwards, 1837—Figure 2G
  • References
  • [14,49,69]. F.M. and L.V., pers. observ.
  • Remarks
  • This palaemonid species occurs in Albania, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Italy [70]. Palaemon antennarius is a euryhaline species living in both fresh and brackish waters, such as lagoons and estuaries, among the vegetation of lentic or weakly flowing water bodies. In the study area, the distribution of the species is mostly linked to the lower course of rivers of south-eastern Sicily (eight sites, seven cells—Figure 2G), within an altitude range of 1 to 216 m a.s.l. (see Table 1). Jabłońska et al. [69] investigated the phylogeography of the species and ascribed the Sicilian P. antennarius populations to a well-characterised clade inhabiting the Apennine peninsula and Sicily, whereas the Balkan populations currently ascribed to P. antennarius are genetically closer to the congeneric P. minos Tzomos and Koukouras, 2015. According to the IUCN red list, the species has been assessed as being of “Least Concern” (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/197950/2506191 (accessed on 2 March 2022), [67]).
  • Palaemon elegans Rathke, 1836—Figure 2H
  • References
  • F.M., pers. observ.
  • Remarks
  • The littoral shrimp Palaemon elegans is a common marine coastal species that inhabits tidal rockpools and seagrasses [17]. The native distribution range of the species includes the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea [71]. Recently, the species was also found to occur in the Baltic Sea, where it is considered an invasive species [69]. Although P. elegans is well known in marine coastal areas in Sicily (e.g., [72]), this is the first report of the species in Sicilian inland waters. The littoral shrimp was found in “Pantano Bruno” (province of Ragusa—one site, one cell—Figure 2H), a coastal marsh which, despite its proximity to the sea, has no direct connection with it. When the species was collected (16 December 2006), the water temperature was 13.4 °C and the electrical conductivity 18,390 µS/cm.
Table
Table 1. List of the novel and published localities of the decapods occurring in Sicily. Geographical decimal coordinates are reported according to the WGS84 datum. UTM coordinates are reported by 10 × 10 km grid square (zone 33N, datum ED50).
Table 1. List of the novel and published localities of the decapods occurring in Sicily. Geographical decimal coordinates are reported according to the WGS84 datum. UTM coordinates are reported by 10 × 10 km grid square (zone 33N, datum ED50).
ProvinceLocalityLatitude NLongitude EElevation (m a.s.l.)UTMYearSource
Atyaephyra desmarestii
AgrigentoLago Arancio37.63661613.056858178UB262007F.M.
Caltanissetta Bompensiere, T. Belici o F. Salito--200UB951985R.G.
Caltanissetta M. Capodarso, F. Salso--300VB251985R.G.
Caltanissetta Ponte Cinque Archi37.60836314.131327340VB262007[63]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Barcavecchia--178VB861988–1989[49]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte dei Saraceni37.70085214.799691362VB871988–1989[49]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte Pietralunga37.57519514.86507792VB851988–1989[49]
Catania Paternò, F. Simeto--65VB851985R.G.
Enna 10 km W Enna---VB351981[62]
Enna Catenanuova, F. Dittaino/S.S. 192--128VB751985R.G.
Enna F. Dittaino, b. Staz. Dittaino--240VB551985R.G.
Enna Nicosia, F. Salso b. Brücke S.S. 117--550VB471985R.G.
Enna Nicosia, T. Mandre, o. Fitto di Sperlinga--550VB471985R.G.
Enna Nicosia, T. Mandre, o. Fitto di Sperlinga--550VB471985R.G.
Enna Villadoro T. Mandre, o. Mdg. T. Feliciosa--620VB471985R.G.
Enna Villadoro T. Mandre, u. Poggio Pioppo--590VB471985R.G.
Palermo Fiume San Leonardo--170UB781990[48]
Palermo Foce San Bartolomeo---UC111986[14]
Palermo Foce San Bartolomeo38.02153112.9048773UC112007F.M.
Palermo Gorgo del Drago37.90112113.412594340UB691990[48]
Palermo Lago Garcia37.78789413.098285193UB382009F.M
Palermo Lago Scanzano37.91191513.370565518UB592007F.M.
Palermo Marianopoli, T. Belici/Staz. M.’poli--330VB061987R.G.
Palermo Poggioreale, F. Belice--100UB271986R.G.
Palermo Ponte Calatrasi37.84432913.119190201UB392009F.M.
Palermo S.C. Villarmosa, F. Imera o P. 5 Archi--350VB261986R.G.
Palermo T. Belici u. Brücke bei, Staz. Marianopoli--330VB061985R.G.
Palermo Torrente Frattina37.86130013.303000370UB592004–2008[64]
Trapani Castelvetrano, F. Grande/C.da Pozzillo---90UB081986R.G.
Trapani Gorgo Alto37.61270212.6494683TB962014F.M.
Trapani S. Ninfa F. Grande, u. Borgo di Buturro--115UB081986R.G.
Callinectes sapidus
Agrigento Fiume Imera Meridionale37.13883313.9169078VB012021[39]
Ragusa Fiume Irminio36.77580314.5967934VA672021[39]
Siracusa RNO “Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari”36.78748715.0946531WA072020[38]
Cherax destructor
Siracusa Torrente Costanzo37.25781814.92021752VB922017[22]
Palaemon adspersus
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte Primosole37.40018015.0649105WB041988–1989[49]
Palaemon antennarius
Agrigento Fiume Salso (Fiume Imera Meridionale)37.15780013.92640013VB012016[69]
Catania Fiume Simeto37.60450014.828500117VB862016[69]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte Giarretta37.45734214.91513722VB941988–1989[49]
Catania Foce del Fiume Simeto37.39987815.0861961WB031985[14]
Catania Stagno agricolo Palagonia37.35058414.676467152VB732011F.M.
Enna Fiume Salso, Masseria d’Aragona37.64713014.772840216VB861988–1989[49]
Palermo Foce San Bartolomeo38.02367712.9066665UC111990[14]
Siracusa Fiume Ciane37.04200515.2346384WA292021F.M.; L.V.
Palaemon elegans
Ragusa Pantano Bruno36.69789714.9868461VA962006F.M.
Potamon fluviatile
Agrigento Fiume Sosio---UB572006–2010[51]
Agrigento Fiume Sosio, Chiusa Sclafani37.64621313.274429227UB462015F.P.F.
Agrigento Lago San Giovanni37.30906413.766020309UB932020S.R.
Agrigento Vallone di Gaffe37.16695313.826678133UB912021S.R.
Agrigento Vallone Ponte---UB742006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Alcantara---VB992006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Alcantara---WB192006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Alcantara---WB282006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Dirillo37.12179214.720373333VB702021F.P.F.
Catania Fiume Fiumefreddo---WB182006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Fiumefreddo---WB282006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Flascio---VB892006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Salso, Masseria d’Aragona37.64713014.772840216VB861988–1989[49]
Catania Fiume Simeto---VB852006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Simeto---VB872006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Simeto---VB882006–2010[51]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Barcavecchia37.64343614.810196178VB861988–1989[49]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte Giarretta37.45734214.91513722VB941988–1989[49]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte Passo Paglia37.76735014.799940466VB881988–1989[49]
Catania Fiume Simeto, Ponte Pietralunga37.57519514.86507792VB851988–1989[49]
Catania Leucatìa---WB052006–2010[51]
Catania Presso Randazzo37.90349114.937369817VB992018F.P.F.
Catania S. Maria di Licodìa---VB962006–2010[51]
Catania Torrente Cutò, Vitalone37.86423014.771510750VB791988–1989[49]
Catania Torrente Saracena---VB892006–2010[51]
Catania Torrente Saracena, Chiusitta--1200VB891988–1989[49]
Messina Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto---WC122006–2010[51]
Messina Faidda37.81138914.615833792VB682013[52]
Messina Fiumara Corsari---WC432006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Elicona---WC012006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Fantina---WC102006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Floripotema---WC212006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Floripotema---WC222006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Marmora---WC432006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Niceto---WC322006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara of Agrò---WC202006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Rodia---WC432006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Santa Lucia---WC212006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Santa Venera---WC112006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Sinagra---VC812006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Tarantonio---WC432006–2010[51]
Messina Fiumara Tono---WC432006–2010[51]
Messina Fiume Fiumedinisi---WC302006–2010[51]
Messina Fiume S. Paolo---WB092006–2010[51]
Messina Fiume S. Paolo---WB192006–2010[51]
Messina Fiume Simeto, Ponte Bolo37.83316014.794980622VB881988–1989[49]
Messina Fiume Tusa37.93664714.301381175VB392013F.P.F.
Messina Fonte Camaro---WC422006–2010[51]
Messina Giardini Naxos, F. Alcantara--20WB281985R.G.
Messina Mistretta37.95206714.375715276VC402015F.P.F.
Messina Moio Alcantare, F. Alcantara o. Brücke--525WB091985R.G.
Messina Peloritani, Altolia, Bach o. Altolia--315WC311985R.G.
Messina Stretta di Longi38.04975714.763471241VC712013F.P.F.
Messina Torrente Briga---WC312006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente Gualtieri---WC212006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente Gualtieri---WC222006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente Licopeti, presso Malabotta37.94789015.007134739WC002016F.P.F.
Messina Torrente Mela---WC212006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente Petrolo---WB292006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente Roccella---WB092006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente San Basilio---VC802006–2010[51]
Messina Torrente Sinagra38.06947014.871745317VC812020F.P.F.
Messina Torrente Timeto, Patti38.07646114.971427222VC912011F.P.F.
Messina Torrente Tripi---WC012006–2010[51]
Messina Vallone Canneto---VC402006–2010[51]
Messina Vallone Mascarino---VC602006–2010[51]
Messina Vallone Munofu---WB292006–2010[51]
Messina Vallone San Nicola---WC212006–2010[51]
Messina Viadotto Ponte Naso, Torrente Sinagra38.14504414.80333516VC822013F.P.F.
Palermo Castelbuono37.95033414.094915194VC202015F.P.F.
Palermo Fiume Pollina37.91440614.147270200VB292018F.P.F.
Palermo Fiume Pollina---VC202006–2010[51]
Palermo Gole del Frattina37.86575813.301096463UB592016F.P.F.
Palermo Gole di Tiberio37.95467214.14845689VC202013F.P.F.
Palermo Gorgo del Drago37.90112113.412594340UB691990[48]
Palermo Imera Settentrionale---VB092006–2010[51]
Palermo Imera Settentrionale37.86066013.894776180VB092017F.P.F.
Palermo Imera Settentrionale37.85830013.897000174VB092014[53]
Palermo Lago di Piana degli Albanesi37.97101513.302485607UC502021F.P.F.
Palermo Madonie F. Pollina, o. Mdg. F. Buonanotte--50VC201985R.G.
Palermo Madonie, Castelbuono, T. Vicaretto/S.S. 286--320VB291985R.G.
Palermo Madonie, Castelbuono, Vne. Dei Mulini/S.S. 286--350VB291985R.G.
Palermo Madonie, Pollina-Tal, T. Grosso u. C. Parissi--350VB291985R.G.
Palermo Polizzi Generosa37.81253613.999416-VB182004[50]
Palermo Scillato37.86041213.895252177VB092017F.P.F.
Palermo Torrente Fichera---VB082006–2010[51]
Palermo Torrente Frattina---UB592006–2010[51]
Palermo Torrente Frattina37.86130013.303000370UB592014[53]
Palermo Torrente Giardinello37.91574614.133376234VB292017F.P.F.
Palermo Torrente presso Fiume Pollina37.91553514.133192237VB292018F.P.F.
Palermo Torrente Roccella, presso Collesano37.94626213.923581214VC002017F.P.F.
Palermo Torrente Vicaretto---VB292006–2010[51]
Palermo Vallone Nocilla---UB692006–2010[51]
Ragusa Fiume Irminio36.78860014.60200018VA672014[53]
Ragusa Ragusa36.92443714.722580-VA782005[50]
Ragusa Torrente Tellesimo36.94888914.850833338VA882011–2012[54]
Siracusa Cava Carosello36.93982715.019083324WA082019S.R.
Siracusa Cava dei Molini---WB012006–2010[51]
Siracusa Fiume Anapo---WB002006–2010[51]
Siracusa Fiume Cassibile36.98820015.026800406WA092014[53]
Siracusa Fiume Cassibile---WA192006–2010[51]
Siracusa Fiume Ciane---WA292006–2010[51]
Siracusa Fiume Ciane---WB202006–2010[51]
Siracusa Fiume Tellaro36.88370014.95040095VA982014[53]
Siracusa Fonte Paradiso---VB912006–2010[51]
Siracusa Iblei, Mte. S. Venere, Contr. Ceusa, Quelle--520VB911985R.G.
Siracusa Iblei, Sortino, F. Anapo/Staz. ENEL--163WB011985R.G.
Siracusa Sortino37.15203515.037073250WB012012F.P.F.
Siracusa Sortino37.14719815.052666178WB012012F.P.F.
Siracusa Sortino, Fiume Anapo37.13754015.039070202WB012012F.P.F.
Siracusa Torrente Calcinara37.14020015.029100264WB012014[53]
Siracusa Valle Pantalica---WB001990[47]
Siracusa Vallone Zappardino---VC922006–2010[51]
Siracusa ----WA081998[45]
Trapani C.da Acci, RNO “Zingaro”---UC021992[46]
Trapani C.da Acci, RNO “Zingaro”38.12369712.768234577UC022004F.M.
Trapani Fiume Belice---UB382006–2010[51]
Trapani Fiume Belice---UB392006–2010[51]
Trapani Fiume Modione---UB062006–2010[51]
Procambarus clarkii
Catania Canale Buttaceto37.43770315.0479187WB042017[33]
Catania Fiume Gornalunga37.38886515.0784042WB032016[22]
Catania Foce Fiume Simeto37.40007215.0643821WB032016[22]
Messina Pantani di Venetico38.21261115.3643336WC322017[33]
Messina Venetico, pozze artificiali38.19568615.384248124WC322015[22]
Palermo Fiume San Leonardo37.84227013.562021243UB782018F.A.; G.G.; F.P.F.; F.P.
Palermo Lago Rosamarina37.93861913.635133170UC802012[30]
Ragusa Fiume Irminio36.99684014.778049388VA892017[33]
Ragusa Lago Santa Rosalia36.97480314.776731374VA892015[22]
Siracusa Fiume San Leonardo37.34270115.0817423WB032015[22]
Siracusa Fiume San Leonardo37.34316615.0887483WB032017[33]
Siracusa Lentini, canale37.28243514.97048919VB922018A.C.
Siracusa Lentini, stagno agricolo37.36027014.91360120VB932017G.U.
Siracusa Torrente Costanzo37.25246714.91245360VB922016[22]
Siracusa Torrente Margi37.21411514.891158192VB912015[22]
Trapani Lago di Murana37.62647512.6342794TB962017[33]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.62037412.6411364TB962012[31]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.61132712.6510333TB962012[31]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.60908012.6550512TB962002[21]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.62037412.6411366TB962012[32]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.61247512.6495543TB962012[32]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.61132712.6510333TB962012[32]
Trapani RNI “Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi”37.60908012.6550512TB962012[32]

4. Discussion

The unpublished data and the critical review of the existing literature made it possible to produce an updated checklist and distribution maps for Sicilian decapod inland water fauna, including five native (i.e., Atyaephyra desmarestii, Palaemon adspersus, P. antennarius, P. elegans, and Potamon fluviatile), and three alien (Callinectes sapidus, Cherax destructor and Procambarus clarkii) species, i.e., three brackish water species were added to the list reported by Hupalo et al. [73] for the Island. Among the decapods reported in the present work, some are primarily marine species, i.e., Callinectes sapidus and Palaemon elegans, which are known to be able to colonize transitional or inland water environments (e.g., [41,72,74]). Conversely, we excluded from the current review those species whose occurrence in inland waters is only occasional and limited to river mouths and coastal lagoons in direct connection to the sea (e.g., [75,76]).
Overall, the retrieved data show a good coverage of the Sicilian territory (about 27%, i.e., 93 cells occupied by at least one record out of 343 total cells), with the significant exceptions of the area that includes the “Piana di Gela” and “Monti Erei” and of the western coastal area of the island, where no records are available despite the occurrence of suitable habitats. No decapods are known to date for the small circum-Sicilian islands, which is possibly due to the scarcity of the surface permanent hydrographical network occurring there. However, it should be considered that the vast majority of the records pertains to large-bodied, charismatic species (P. fluviatile, 69 cells, P. clarkii, 10 cells), so that the actual distribution of palaemonid and atyid shrimps in Sicily is certainly underestimated. It is also worth stressing that some of the occurrence data should be taken with caution, as they could be the result of erroneous identifications, especially when the occurrence of a species was reported without iconographic support in the frame of papers not focused on crustaceans. For example, the report of Palaemon antennarius from “Gorgo del Drago” (province of Palermo, see [48]) is probably due to a misidentification of Atyaephyra desmarestii (F.M., pers. observ.).
Based on available data, the atyid Atyaephyra desmarestii seems to be rather frequent in north-western and central Sicily but absent in the south-eastern part of the island. Conversely, the distribution of the palaemonid shrimp Palaemon antennarius appears to be scarcely represented in northern and western Sicily, with the single record for Trapani province in need for being validated, and more frequent in south-eastern Sicily. Further studies on the distribution of caridean species in Sicilian inland waters are to evaluate whether there is a complementary distribution pattern between these two species, or the observed pattern is rather due to the non-representativeness of currently available data (see Figure 2E,F and Table 1).
The occurrence of non-indigenous species (NIS) represents a significant risk for native biota both through direct impact and parasite spill-over [37,77,78,79]. Introduced decapods are considered among the most concerning NIS in inland waters [80]. In Sicily, the current impact of NIS is exerted mainly on permanent water bodies, whereas temporary ones have been to date less affected [8]; moreover, Procambarus clarkii, Cherax destructor, and Callinectes sapidus are to date mostly limited to low altitudes and lowland stretches of rivers (with few exceptions, see Table 1). Conversely, Atyaephyra desmarestii and Potamon fluviatile, i.e., the most widespread native decapods occurring in Sicily, have most of their populations currently located in the upper parts of the river watersheds. Accordingly, a spatial segregation between native and non-native species seems to be in place. Nevertheless, in some cases, native and non-native species co-occur, as for the crabs Callinectes sapidus and Potamon fluviatile, coexisting in the Irminio river (province of Ragusa).
The trend observed in Sicily for NIS is rather worrying. Based on the available evidence, the first finding of an alien decapod species [21] was not followed by its spreading on the island nor by the introduction of other species for about ten years. Later, from 2012 onwards, a steep rate of increase for both the number of alien species and their local distribution was observed (Figure 3). Such an increase in the number of NIS occurring on the island and their local distribution was most likely mediated by several drivers, such as the ease of buying species on the global market through websites, to limited environmental awareness, and to the current absence of a proper legislation actively regulating the amateur and commercial breeding of species with high invasive potential. Inland waters are facing several threats causing significant risks for their biota [4,81], especially in arid and semi-arid regions and insular habitats [3,82]. To date in Sicily, the biota of permanent water bodies is scarcely known, and the basic knowledge needed to preserve or manage them is limited. Moreover, in contrast to what happens in other Italian regions (e.g., Abruzzo, Emilia Romagna, and Tuscany, see [83], no specific legislation on the protection of native decapod crustaceans is currently in force in Sicily. We hope that the present work might be a useful tool for stressing the need for further, more detailed, surveys aimed at filling current knowledge gaps regarding the presence and distribution of decapod species in Sicilian inland waters.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.M. and M.A.; methodology, F.P.F., F.S. and L.V.; writing—original draft preparation, L.V. and F.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Acknowledgments

All the people who provided unpublished data on decapod distribution in Sicily (see Table 1) are acknowledged for their support. Reinhard Gerecke (University of Tübingen, Germany) is kindly acknowledged for sharing unpublished data and for the stimulating discussions on Sicilian inland water fauna.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Occurrence sites in the study area based on 10 × 10 km UTM grid square (zone 33N, datum ED50). Both published and novel sites where decapods species were observed are reported.
Figure 1. Occurrence sites in the study area based on 10 × 10 km UTM grid square (zone 33N, datum ED50). Both published and novel sites where decapods species were observed are reported.
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Figure 2. Occurrence sites of decapod species in Sicily. The blue squares represent the native species occurring in Sicily. Conversely, the red squares represent the alien ones. (A) Cherax destructor; (B) Procambarus clarkii; (C) Callinectes sapidus; (D) Potamon fluviatile; (E) Atyaephyra desmarestii; (F) Palaemon adspersus; (G) P. antennarius; (H) P. elegans.
Figure 2. Occurrence sites of decapod species in Sicily. The blue squares represent the native species occurring in Sicily. Conversely, the red squares represent the alien ones. (A) Cherax destructor; (B) Procambarus clarkii; (C) Callinectes sapidus; (D) Potamon fluviatile; (E) Atyaephyra desmarestii; (F) Palaemon adspersus; (G) P. antennarius; (H) P. elegans.
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Figure 3. Cumulative curves of decapod NIS occurring in Sicily, from the first reported record in 2002 to today, based on “Sites” (red line), “10 × 10 km UTM cells” (green line) and “species richness” (yellow line) data (see also Table 1).
Figure 3. Cumulative curves of decapod NIS occurring in Sicily, from the first reported record in 2002 to today, based on “Sites” (red line), “10 × 10 km UTM cells” (green line) and “species richness” (yellow line) data (see also Table 1).
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Vecchioni, L.; Faraone, F.P.; Stoch, F.; Arculeo, M.; Marrone, F. Diversity and Distribution of the Inland Water Decapods of Sicily (Crustacea, Malacostraca). Diversity 2022, 14, 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040246

AMA Style

Vecchioni L, Faraone FP, Stoch F, Arculeo M, Marrone F. Diversity and Distribution of the Inland Water Decapods of Sicily (Crustacea, Malacostraca). Diversity. 2022; 14(4):246. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040246

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vecchioni, Luca, Francesco Paolo Faraone, Fabio Stoch, Marco Arculeo, and Federico Marrone. 2022. "Diversity and Distribution of the Inland Water Decapods of Sicily (Crustacea, Malacostraca)" Diversity 14, no. 4: 246. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040246

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