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Effects of species dominance on survival and yield of mixed populations of procambarid crayfish in forage-based monocropping systems
Matherne WM, Romaire RP and Barbee GC 
Published Online: 2/15/2013
Abstract
Crayfish producers in North America favor red swamp crayfish over southern white river crayfish because they are more marketable and have greater yield potential. However, aquaculture operations with high percentages of the less desirable and less valuable southern white river crayfish are common. Under controlled conditions in mesocosms, this study aimed to: 1) determine survival, weight at harvest, and yield of red swamp crayfish and southern white river crayfish introduced simultaneously in pure populations or at a 50:50 ratio in mixed populations, 2) assess if aeration improved production, and 3) determine survival, weight at harvest, and yield of both species in conditions replicating recruitment patterns in commercial ponds. Thirty-six mesocosms were planted with rice and stocked with hatchlings at a density of ten crayfish m-2 according to the treatments mentioned. Results showed: 1) survival and yield were significantly higher in pure populations of red swamp crayfish, 2) aeration had no positive impact, 3) when red swamp crayfish or southern white river crayfish preceded the other species in stocking, survival and yield were significantly higher for the first-stocked species, and 4) significant differences in average weight at harvest were not observed for the two species. Thus, flooding commercial ponds earlier (e.g., September) may facilitate recruitment of red swamp crayfish prior to southern white river crayfish, which could allow the red swamp crayfish to dominate the ecosystem.
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How to Cite
Matherne WM, Romaire RP and Barbee GC. (2013). Effects of species dominance on survival and yield of mixed populations of procambarid crayfish in forage-based monocropping systems. Freshwater Crayfish 19(1):7-14. doi: 10.5869/fc.2013.v19.007
Author Information
William M. Matherne, Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University , Aquaculture Research Station, Baton Rouge, LA, USA70803. E-mail: wmather@tigers.lsu.edu
Robert P. Romaire, Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University , Aquaculture Research Station, Baton Rouge, LA, USA70803. E-mail: RRomaire@agcenter.lsu.edu
Gary C. Barbee,* Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, WTAMU Box 60217, Canyon, TX, USA79016. E-mail: gbarbee@wtamu.edu
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 6/30/2012
Manuscript Accepted: 12/7/2012
Published Online: 2/15/2013
Published in Print: 2/15/2013
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.