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Ribogospod. nauka Ukr., 2025; 4(74): 84-104
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61976/fsu2025.04.084
UDC 595.384:574.5(477)

Marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis Lyko, 2017) invasive species crayfish in Ukraine (a review)

S. Sidorovskyi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ORCID ID 0000-0002-3344-1457, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv

Purpose. A summary and analysis of scientific sources and new data concerning the biology, ecological characteristics, and distribution of Procambarus virginalis (Lyko, 2017), in Ukraine.

Methods. The review was conducted based on a comprehensive search, systematization, and critical analysis of scientific sources addressing the biology, ecology, and distribution of Procambarus virginalis in Ukraine.

Findings. The results of studies on the marbled crayfish in Ukraine over the period 2015–2025 were analyzed. This work presents a review of scientific publications highlighting the distribution, ecological characteristics, and potential invasive impact of this species on local aquatic ecosystems. Data on confirmed occurrences of marbled crayfish in Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Donetsk, Lviv, and Kirovohrad regions are summarized. The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and assessment of ecological risks associated with the spread of Procambarus virginalis in Ukraine. It was found that the marbled crayfish exhibits high ecological plasticity and the ability to form stable populations in various types of water bodies – from artificial ponds and urban waters to natural lakes and river floodplain areas. The identified localities confirm a trend of gradual range expansion and further spread of the marbled crayfish over the past decade resulting both from anthropogenic translocations and the species’ capacity for self-dispersal. The compiled information is crucial for developing effective strategies for early detection of invasive populations and preventing further spread of the species in Ukraine’s natural water bodies.

Practical Value. The obtained results and summarized literature data have considerable practical value for specialists studying invasive species in Ukraine and other regions of Europe. The presented review can serve as a scientific and methodological basis for further research on the dynamics of Procambarus virginalis distribution in Ukraine, assessment of its ecological plasticity, and potential for forming stable populations in various types of freshwater ecosystems. The information obtained is important for developing and improving monitoring and control strategies for invasive crustaceans, including establishing criteria for early detection and assessment of ecological risks. The results can be utilized by conservation institutions, research institutes, and government agencies to support decision-making regarding the protection of native fish and invertebrate species that may be affected by competition or predation from the marbled crayfish.

Keywords: Ukraine, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad regions, marbled crayfish, invasive alien species, Procambarus virginalis.

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