Global diversity and conservation of freshwater crayfish (Crustacea: Decapoda: Astacoidea)

Authors

Tadashi Kawai, Wakkanai Fisheries Research Institute
Keith A. Crandall, The George Washington University

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Journal

A Global Overview of the Conservation of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans

DOI

10.1007/978-3-319-42527-6_3

Keywords

Alien crayfish; Conservation; IUCN red list; Species diversity

ISBN

9783319425276,9783319425252

Abstract

The number of species in the three families of freshwater crayfish worldwide (Astacidae, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) are updated by region. These are: Astacidae, western North America (5 species) and Europe (5 species), Cambaridae, eastern North America and Mexico (423 species) and Asia (6 species), and Parastacidae, Oceania (153 species), South America (12 species), and Madagascar (7 species). The conservation status of 611 species of crayfish worldwide is discussed, based on global assessments from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List protocols as well as regional assessments on governmental endangered species lists. The current threats to endangered species of crayfish include habitat destruction, water diversion, pollution, and threats from exotic species of crayfish (such as Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii and Cherax) that have been introduced to other parts of the world where they are having an increasing impact. New threats posed by the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus fallax f. virginalis to freshwater ecosystems in Europe and Madagascar are also discussed.

Recommended Citation

Kawai, T., & Crandall, K. (2016). Global diversity and conservation of freshwater crayfish (Crustacea: Decapoda: Astacoidea). A Global Overview of the Conservation of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans, (). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42527-6_3