Procambarus alleni (Everglades Crayfish) Crustaceans-Crayfish Native Transplant
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Common name: Everglades Crayfish
Synonyms and Other Names: Electric Blue Crayfish
Taxonomy: available through
www.itis.gov
Identification: The Everglades Crayfish, Procambarus alleni, is widely available in the aquarium trade due to the brilliant blue color morphs that are bred in captivity (Inman 1998; Chucholl and Wendler 2017). Wild caught specimens can be blue, brown, or red in color. This species has a rostrum with or without lateral spines, relatively narrow areola that is 7 to 14 times as long as it is wide, postorbital ridges terminating cephalad with or without spines, and one lateral spine usually present on sides of carapace (Hobbs 1942). Procambarus alleni can be distinguished from P. fallax (Slough Crayfish) through the presence of dark, circular areas, referred to as “headlights”, found at the base of both antennal glands (Hendrix and Loftus 2000; Vanarman 2003). Due to variation in the morphology of both species, identification between P. alleni should be verified by microscopic examination of the secondary sexual features illustrated in Hobbs (1989) and Vanarman (2003). A mature male (Form I) P. alleni can be recognized through the presence of hooks on the third and fourth pereiopods. Additionally, knobs used to hold females in place during mating can be seen at the base of the fifth pereiopod of form I males (Hobbs 1989; Vanarman 2003).
Size: Adults have a maximum carapace length (CL) of 39.8-44.3 millimeters (mm) (Dorn and Trexler 2007; Vanarman 2003).
Native Range: The native range of P. alleni encompasses the majority of central and southern Florida (Hobbs 1942). The northern extent of P. alleni’s distribution extends along the St. Johns River from its mouth, south to northern Seminole County, westward to Bushnell in Sumter County, and then northwest through Citrus and southern Levy County to the mouth of the Suwannee River (Hobbs 1942). The southern edge of the native range encompasses the Everglades, and a few of the Florida Keys (Hobbs 1942; Hobbs 1984).
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Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Procambarus alleni are found here.
Table last updated 12/14/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology: Procambarus alleni inhabit a wide range of ephemeral and permanent wetlands, including prairie marshes, flood plains, road side ditches, and small streams (Hobbs 1942; Hendrix et al. 1998). Although P. alleni have been collected from flowing waters, their habitat preference appears to be temporary, freshwater bodies of water that are still or very sluggish, or littoral zones that periodically desiccate due to seasonal droughts (Hobbs 1942; Hendrix et al. 1998; Dorn and Volin 2009). This crayfish typically occupies freshwater systems, but they have been collected from waterways with salinities as high as 18 parts per thousand (ppt) (Hendrix et al. 1998). During the rainy season (summer and fall), P. alleni inhabit inundated shorelines, where dense vegetation limits predation by fishes and conspecifics (Jordan et al. 1996; Hendrix et al. 1998). Procambarus alleni commonly co-occur with Procambarus fallax during periods of inundation; however, during droughts the two species are partitioned based on hydrologic conditions. During the dry season (winter and spring), while P. fallax continues to occupy areas that remain flooded, P. alleni seeks refuge in burrows (Hobbs 1942; Hendrix et al. 1998). Procambarus alleni constructs and utilizes burrows during droughts and reproductive periods (Hobbs 1942; Hendrix et al. 1998). The entrance of P. alleni burrows can often be identified through conspicuous mounds or chimneys constructed from excavated materials (Hendrix et al. 1998). P. alleni is capable of burrowing effectively in peat, marl, and sand substrates, but its resilience to desiccation varies depending on the substrate composition (Dorn and Volin 2009). P. alleni may remain in their burrows for months to avoid desiccation and to reproduce (Hobbs 1942; Hendrix et al. 1998).
The life cycle of P. alleni follows that of most Procambarids (Hobbs, 1942; Hendrix et al. 1998). Like P. clarkii, P. alleni mature at approximately one year of age. The mean size of reproductively active males was reported as 29.3 mm in CL, but this varied from 19.2-38.9 mm CL. The mean size at maturity for females excavated in the same study was estimated to be 27.9 mm CL, varying from 18.2 to 34.4 mm CL. Oviposition occurs while individuals are burrowed during the dry season (Hendrix et al. 1998). The young hatch within the burrow, and like other procambarids, P. alleni undergo a period in which newly hatched young stay attached to the female's pleopods. Reflooding of the littoral zone brings crayfish to the surface with the young still attached. While the duration of attachment varies, the hatched young appear to recruit to the population by the following summer (Hendrix et al. 1998).
Means of Introduction: Means of introduction is unknown, but introductions via an aquarium releases are probable due to its popularity in the pet trade. Another possible vector of introduction is through the bait industry (Inman 1998).
Status: Unknown
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
References: (click for full references)
Chucholl, C., and F. Wendler. 2017. Positive selection of beautiful invaders: long-term persistence and bio-invasion risk of freshwater crayfish in the pet trade. Biological Invasions 19(1):197-208.
Dorn, N.J., and J.C. Trexler. 2007. Crayfish assemblage shifts in a large drought-prone wetland: the roles of hydrology and competition. Freshwater Biology 52(12):2399-2411.
Dorn, N.J., and J.C. Volin. 2009. Resistance of crayfish (
Procambarus spp.) populations to wetland drying depends on species and substrate. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28(4):766-777. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1899/08-151.1
Gunderson, L.H., and W.F. Loftus. 1993. The Everglades in Martin, W.E., S.G. Boyce, A.C. Echternacht, ed. Biodiversity of the southeastern United States: lowland terrestrial communities. 1 edition. Wiley. Hoboken, New Jersey.
Hendrix, A.N., D. Armstrong, and C. Grace. 1998. Life history, ecology, and interactions of Everglades crayfishes. National Park Service, Homestead, FL.
Hendrix, A.N., and W.F. Loftus. 2000. Distribution and relative abundance of the crayfishes
Procambarus alleni (Faxon) and
P. fallax (Hagen) in southern Florida. Wetlands 20:194-199.
https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70022895 Hobbs, H.H. Jr. 1942. The crayfishes of Florida. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Hobbs, H.H., Jr. 1984. On the distribution of the crayfish genus Procambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae). Journal of Crustacean Biology 4(1):12-24.
Hobbs, H.H., Jr. 1989. An illustrated checklist of the American crayfishes (Decapoda: Astacidae, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 480:1-236.
Inman, T.C., P.C. Marsh, B.E. Bagley, and C.A. Pacey. 1998. Survey of crayfishes of the Gila River Basin, Arizona and New Mexico, with notes on occurrences in other Arizona drainages and adjoining states. Report to US Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix, Arizona.
Jordan, F., C.J. De Leon, and A.C. McCreary. 1996. Predation, habitat complexity, and distribution of the crayfish Procambarus alleni within a wetland habitat mosaic. Wetlands 16(4):452-457. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03161334.
Kouba, A., A. Petrusek, and P. Kozák. 2014. Continental-wide distribution of crayfish species in Europe: update and maps. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems 413(5):1-5.
Mrugala, A., E. Kozubíková, C. Chucholl, S.C. Resino, S. Viljamaa-Dirks, J. Vukic, and A. Petrusek. 2015. Trade of ornamental crayfish in Europe as a possible introduction pathway for important crustacean diseases: Crayfish plague and white spot syndrome. Biological Invasions 17(5):1313-1326. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10530-014-0795-x
Vanarman, P.G. 2003. Biology and ecology of epigean crayfish that inhabit everglades environments Procambarus alleni (Faxon) and Procambarus fallax (Hagen). Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Author:
Procopio, J.
Revision Date: 7/22/2019
Citation Information:
Procopio, J., 2024, Procambarus alleni (Faxon, 1884): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=2812, Revision Date: 7/22/2019, Access Date: 12/14/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.