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Range expansion by an invasive crayfish and subsequent range contraction of imperiled endemic crayfish in Missouri (USA) Ozark streams
Distefano RJ and Westhoff JT 
Published Online: 12/31/2011
Abstract
Orconectes hylas is endemic to three Missouri (USA) drainages but invaded the St. Francis River drainage (SFRD), in the late 20th century. Data from 1984 suggest O. hylas occurred in only one SFRD stream reach, but data from the 1990s suggest the invader expanded its range to reaches of three streams. Simultaneously, two endemic imperiled species, Orconectes peruncus and Orconectes quadruncus, declined in those streams, eliciting concern about extirpations. Confirmation of presumed O. hylas SFRD range expansion and information on expansion rates would benefit conservation planning for the imperiled species. Objectives were to 1) confirm/refute O. hylas range expansion in two SFRD streams over several consecutive years, 2) estimate rates of confirmed range expansion, 3) document possible range contractions of imperiled crayfish. We sampled crayfish to determine the invasion’s “leading edge” using baited traps and seines in Carver and Orr Hollow creeks during five and eight nearly consecutive summers, respectively. Orconectes hylas expanded its range in both streams; O. peruncus’ range contracted in invaded reaches of Carver Creek. Despite O. hylas expansion, O. quadruncus persisted in Orr Hollow Creek, apparently at lower abundances. Invasion rates varied greatly between streams and among years, creating uncertainty in predicting future range expansions.
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How to Cite
Distefano RJ and Westhoff JT. (2011). Range expansion by an invasive crayfish and subsequent range contraction of imperiled endemic crayfish in Missouri (USA) Ozark streams. Freshwater Crayfish 18(1):37-44. doi: 10.5869/fc.2011.v18.37
Author Information
Robert J. DiStefano,* , Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science Center, 1110 South College Avenue,Columbia, Missouri, USA65201. E-mail: Bob.DiStefano@mdc.mo.gov
Jacob T. Westhoff, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, Missouri, USA65211. E-mail: jacobwesthoff@hotmail.com
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 12/15/2010
Manuscript Accepted: 6/29/2011
Published Online: 12/31/2011
Published in Print: 12/31/2011
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.