Amphipods are key organisms in many freshwater systems and contribute substantially to the diversity and functioning of macroinvertebrate communities. Furthermore, they are commonly used as bioindicators and for ecotoxicological tests. For many areas, however, diversity and distribution of amphipods is inadequately known, which limits their use in ecological and ecotoxicological studies and handicaps conservation initiatives. We studied the diversity and distribution of amphipods in Switzerland (Central Europe), covering four major drainage basins, an altitudinal gradient of>2,500 m, and various habitats (rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater). We provide the first provisional checklist and detailed information on the distribution and diversity of all amphipod species from Switzerland. In total, we found 29 amphipod species. This includes 16 native and 13 non-native species, one of the latter (Orchestia cavimana) reported here for the first time for Switzerland. The diversity is compared to neighboring countries. We specifically discuss species of the genus Niphargus, which are often receiving less attention. We also found evidence of an even higher level of hidden diversity, and the potential occurrence of further cryptic species. This diversity reflects the biogeographic past of Switzerland, and suggests that amphipods are ideally suited to address questions on endemism and adaptive radiations, post-glaciation re-colonization and invasion dynamics as well as biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in aquatic systems.

Seven species of crayfish are present in Swiss waters: three native ones (Astacus astacus, Austropotamobius pallipes, Austropotamobius torrentium) and four exotic ones (Astacus leptodactylus, Orconectes limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii).The occurrence of each species is known and distribution maps have been drawn at national level. Many of the non-native populations have been identified as carriers of the crayfish plague, acting as a vector for Aphanomyces astaci. Crayfish are regulated by the Swiss Fisheries Legislation. The catching of the native species is allowed but the effective fishing pressure is low. The non-native species are considered as undesirable. For that reason importation, introduction and transportation of live specimens are forbidden with the exception of Cherax sp. which may be kept in cool boxes without any contact with water until consumption. A national management plan has been developed by the Federal Office for the Environment. It aims at increasing protective measures for the native species and enhancing population control for the non-native ones. The elimination measures are targeted on the most problematic species Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii.Key-words: crayfish, management, conservation, legislation, distribution, crayfish plague. GESTION DES ÉCREVISSES DANS LES EAUX SUISSES RÉSUMÉ Sept espèces d'écrevisses sont présentes dans les eaux suisses: trois sont indigènes (Astacus astacus, Austropotamobius pallipes, Austropotamobius torrentium) et quatre sont exotiques (Astacus leptodactylus, Orconectes limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii). L'occurrence de chaque espèce ainsi que des cartes de distribution à l'échelle nationale ont été établies. De nombreuses populations exotiques portent le vecteur de la peste de l'écrevisse Aphanomyces astaci. Les écrevisses sont réglementées par la législation fédérale sur la pêche. La capture des espèces indigènes est autorisée mais la pression de pêche demeure faible. Les espèces exotiques sont indésirables; c'est pourquoi, leur importation, introduction et transport vivants sont prohibés à l'exception des individus du genre Cherax lorsqu'ils demeurent confinés dans

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Switzerland’s drainage systems are divided into three major European river basins, i.e. the Po, the Rhône, and the Rhine basins. Until recently 32 species of freshwater mussel species (i.e. belonging to the genera Anodonta and Unio) were recognized for the country, albeit their identity and number remain uncertain especially, given the recent recognition of Unio mancus Lamarck, 1819 from the Rhône in France, and Unio elongatulus C. Pfeiffer, 1825 and Anodonta exulcerata Porro, 1838 from the Po basin in Italy. In this study, we molecularly assess Swiss populations of freshwater mussels to understand the identity and number of species as well as to characterize their distributions within this geologically differentiated Alpine country. We collected 125 specimens in 42 lakes and rivers representing the three major basins and performed a phylogenetic investigation of the collected specimens using two mitochondrial markers (COI & 16S) and one nuclear marker (28S). COI Haplotype networks are then presented for the identified species. Our new findings show that Unio elongatulus inhabits water bodies north of the main Alpine arc. No living populations of Unio mancus could be detected in Switzerland. Anodonta exulcerata is recorded from two localities north of Lake Maggiore and in the Swiss part of Lake Lugano. Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758) shows genetic differences between southern alpine and northern alpine populations. Our genetic data from Swiss populations of unionid species provides new records and knowledge concerning freshwater mussels from Central Europe and specifically from the Alpine region.

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