Biological and distribution studies of Astacus leptodactylus along Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Anzali

Abstract

There is no fishery of this species (Astacus leptodactylus) along the Iranian coast. Sampling carried out from August 1991 until August 1993 along Bandar Anzali coast the north of Iran. It was done with folding galvanized metal frame traps with 20mm mesh size (knot to knot). Amount of catch varies according to depths, locations and different seasons. The egg carrying females were observed during early May till the end of August in the water temperature of 8.6-8.8 °C. Catchability of males was approximately 4.156 times more than the catchability of females in this study. Total length of 63.7 percent of males and 72.1 percent of females were equal or more than 102 mm......