21st IAA Symposium

On behalf of the International Association of Astacology (iz.carnegiemnh.org/crayfish/IAA/), it is with great pleasure that the organizing and scientific committees invite you to participate in the 21st IAA Symposium being held from September 5 – 8, this year at the Royal Botanical Garden, RBG, in Madrid, Spain.
The Symposium will consist of a four-day scientific program, and speakers are welcome to submit papers on all scientific aspects of freshwater crayfish. We will deal with diverse topics such as conservation, biogeography, ecology, genetics, phylogenetics, physiology, diseases, and also new areas like genomics, environmental DNA studies, or invasive species.
Registration fees include the cost of abstract registration, attending the program, lunch and coffee breaks provided daily, and the fee depends on individual registration dates and IAA membership status. In addition to a scientific program, we will be hosting and catering to a lively social program that includes a Banquet in the Garden, and a 5 days post-symposium Crayfish field excursion to Granada and Seville.
On Sunday, September 4th, a workshop on “Conservation Plans for Endangered Species Facing the Threats of Emerging Diseases and Invasive Species” will take place prior to the symposium.
The IAA symposium will take place for the first time in Spain, a country with strong traditions regarding crayfish fisheries. It has been almost 40 years since the crayfish plague struck the native population, which consequentially produced a dramatic change in the aquatic environment as well as in recreational and fishing activities in freshwater environments. The RGB, which belongs to the National Spanish Research Council (CSIC), has developed a line of research focused on the crayfish plague. The RBG is now a key center in Spain for the investigation of crayfish plague, the development of conservation plans, and the management of alien species.
Three crayfish species presently coexist in the Iberian Peninsula: one native, Austropotamobius pallipes, and two alien species from North America, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifastacus leniusculus. Austropotamobius pallipes is categorized as endangered and several conservation plans are being implemented in Spain for the species. The two alien species have been subjected to exploitation for both commercial and recreational purposes. The current decline of native crayfish species around the world, as well as the effect that globalization has on the management of invasive species, make Spain an ideal place to discuss current scientific problems regarding freshwater crayfish and aquatic ecosystems.
The RBG has a history spanning more than 260 years, and it is located in the historic center of Madrid within walking distance to the world-famous Prado, Tyssen, and Reina Sofia art museums. Many hotel options in the vicinity make the Garden a convenient place to host a conference. Close by there are many subway and bus stations, Madrid´s main train station Atocha Renfe, and different options for travel to and from the Barajas airport. In the meantime, keep your eyes on the webpage for answers to any questions you may have. On behalf of the organizing committee, we welcome you to Madrid in September 2016!