World of Crayfish™: a web platform towards real-time global mapping of freshwater crayfish and their pathogens
Authors: Ion Mihaela C. , Bloomer Caitlin C. , Bărăscu Tudor I. , Oficialdegui Francisco J. , Shoobs Nathaniel F. , Williams Bronwyn W. , Scheers Kevin , Clavero Miguel , Grandjean Frédéric , Collas Marc , Baudry Thomas , Loughman Zachary , Wright Jeremy J. , Ruokonen Timo J. , Chucholl Christoph , Guareschi Simone , Koese Bram , Banyai Zsombor M. , Hodson James , Hurt Margo , Kaldre Katrin , Lipták Boris , Fetzner James W. , Cancellario Tommaso , Weiperth András , Birzaks Jạnis , Trichkova Teodora , Todorov Milcho , Balalaikins Maksims , Griffin Bogna , Petko Olga N. , Acevedo-Alonso Ada , D’Elía Guillermo , Śliwińska Karolina , Alekhnovich Anatoly , Choong Henry , South Josie , Whiterod Nick , Zorić Katarina , Haase Peter , Soto Ismael , Brady Daniel J. , Haubrock Phillip J. , Torres Pedro J. , Şadrin Denis , Vlach Pavel , Kaya Cüneyt , Woo Jung Sang , Kim Jin-Young , Vermeersch Xavier H.C. , Bonk Maciej , Guiaşu Radu , Harlioğlu Muzaffer M. , Devlin Jane , Kurtul Irmak , Błońska Dagmara , Boets Pieter , Masigol Hossein , Cabe Paul R. , Jussila Japo , Vrålstad Trude , Beresford David V. , Reid Scott M. , Patoka Jiří , Strand David A. , Tarkan Ali S. , Steen Frédérique , Abeel Thomas , Harwood Matthew , Auer Samuel , Kelly Sandor , Giantsis Ioannis A. , Maciaszek Rafał , Alvanou Maria V. , Aksu Önder , Hayes David M. , Kawai Tadashi , Tricarico Elena , Chakandinakira Adroit , Barnett Zanethia C. , Kudor Ştefan G. , Beda Andreea E. , Vîlcea Lucian , Mizeranschi Alexandru E. , Neagul Marian , Licz Anton , Cotoarbă Andra D. , Petrusek Adam , Kouba Antonín , Taylor Christopher A. , Pârvulescu Lucian 
Published: October 2024

Freshwater crayfish are amongst the largest macroinvertebrates and play a keystone role in the ecosystems they occupy. Understanding the global distribution of these animals is often hindered due to a paucity of distributional data. Additionally, non-native crayfish introductions are becoming more frequent, which can cause severe environmental and economic impacts. Management decisions related to crayfish and their habitats require accurate, up-to-date distribution data and mapping tools. Such data are currently patchily distributed with limited accessibility and are rarely up-to-date. To address these challenges, we developed a versatile e-portal to host distributional data of freshwater crayfish and their pathogens (using Aphanomyces astaci, the causative agent of the crayfish plague, as the most prominent example). Populated with expert data and operating in near real-time, World of Crayfish™ is a living, publicly available database providing worldwide distributional data sourced by experts in the field. The database offers open access to the data through specialized standard geospatial services (Web Map Service, Web Feature Service) enabling users to view, embed, and download customizable outputs for various applications. The platform is designed to support technical enhancements in the future, with the potential to eventually incorporate various additional features. This tool serves as a step forward towards a modern era of conservation planning and management of freshwater biodiversity.