Austrian Amphipods

The project, which is funded by the Biodiversity Fund, investigates the taxonomic and genetic diversity of amphipods (freshwater shrimp) in Austrian surface waters (streams, rivers, lakes). Gammarus fossarum is the most widespread species of amphipods in Austria and represents a large portion of the animal biomass in streams and in some rivers. G. fossarum play a key role in the stream ecosystem, as they consume large amounts of leaf litter and other organic material as part of their diet, and serve as a food source for birds and fish. However, the morphospecies G. fossarum encompasses a large number of highly divergent genetic lineages. The project uses DNA barcodes to determine cryptic G. fossarum lineages in Austria.
Other native amphipod species in Austrian surface waters are G. roeselii and G. alpinus. Additionally, Austria is increasingly being colonized by invasive amphipod species, some of which may pose a threat to native species. In relation to these species, the project fills gaps in the recording of their distribution and genetic diversity, as well as in the assessment of their autochthonous or neobiotic status.