Prima segnalazione del gambero invasivo Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana 1852) nel Lago Maggiore (Cantone Ticino, Svizzera)

Invasive species are a threat to the environmental integrity and biodiversity. Native crayfish play a key role in freshwater ecosystems and their functioning, but their consumption caused their reduction with consequent introductions of North American specimens. Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana 1852) was introduced into Europe for commercial purposes. The first finding in Canton Ticino in 2007 did not cause alarm, but the findings of 2017 confirm its presence along the Swiss coasts of Lake Maggiore. Since no specimen has so far been found inside the Nature Reserve Bolle di Magadino and on the Italian shores of the lake, it become crucial that Italy and Switzerland plan concerted timely reporting of the species to limit its spread into the entire catchment.