AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Pacifastacus leniusculus [WoRMS] | |
Authority | (Dana, 1852) | |
Family | Astacidae | |
Order | Decapoda | |
Class | Malacostraca | |
Phylum | Arthropoda | |
Synonym (?) | ||
Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Country: USA References (not structured): Larson, E.R., C.L. Abbott, N. Usio, N. Azuma, K.A. Wood, L. Herborg, and J.D. Olden (2012). The signal crayfish is not a single species: cryptic diversity and invasions in the Pacific Northwest range of Pacifastacus leniusculus. Freshwater Biology 57:1823-1838. Comments: Columbia River Basin |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
Comments: P. leniusculus is the most widely spread alien freshwater crayfish species in Europe. P. leniusculus can be found in a variety of habitats, from small streams to large rivers and natural lakes. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Lowery, R. S., & Holdich, D. M. (1988). Pacifastacus leniusculus in North America and Europe, with details of the distribution of introduced and native crayfish species in Europe. Freshwater crayfish: biology, management and exploitation., 283-308. |
Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Johnsen SI, Taugbøl T (2010) Pacifastacus leniusculus. NOBANIS Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet. Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species - NOBANIS. http://www.nobanis.org Comments: Male crayfish can reach a length of 16 cm while females can only achieve a maximum size of 12 cm. Age at maturity varies from 1 to 3 years, and a life expectancy of up to 20 years is possible. |
Developmental trait (?) | Brooding References: Johnsen SI, Taugbøl T (2010) Pacifastacus leniusculus. NOBANIS Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet. Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species - NOBANIS. http://www.nobanis.org Comments: The breeding cycle is typical of a cool temperate zone species, although P. leniusculus grows faster and reaches a greater size than its counterparts. Size at maturity is usually 6-9cm TL at an age of 2-3 years, although maturity can occur as early as 1 year. Mating and egg laying occurs during October in the vast majority of populations. Egg incubation time ranges from 166 to 280 days. In natural populations hatching occurs from late March to the end of July depending on latitude and temperature. Egg numbers usually range from 200 to 400, although some individuals of 66mm CL have been reported as having over 500 eggs. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Johnsen SI, Taugbøl T (2010) Pacifastacus leniusculus. NOBANIS Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet. Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species - NOBANIS. http://www.nobanis.org Comments: As an opportunistic polytrophic feeder, P. leniusculus will eat anything that is available, including other crayfish. The diet was found to shift from aquatic insects in juveniles, to more plant material in adults in some American populations. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Crawford, L., Yeomans, W. E., & Adams, C. E. (2006). The impact of introduced signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus on stream invertebrate communities. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 16(6), 611-621. |
Salinity tolerance range (?) | Venice system: 1. Limnetic [<0.5psu] 2. β-Oligohaline [0.5-3psu] 3. α-Oligohaline [3-5psu] References: Paavola M, Olenin S, Leppäkoski E (2005) Are invasive species most successful in habitats of low native species richness across European brackish water seas? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 64 (2005) 738-750 Holdich DM, Harlioglu MM, Firkins I (1997) Salinity adaptations of crayfish in Brittish Waters with particular reference to Austropotamobius pallipes, Astacus leptodactylus and Pasifastacus leniusculus. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44: 147-154 Anonymus (1999) Signal crayfish in a fisherman's net in the Paimio Bay. Turun Sanomat, Oct. 20, 1999 (in Finnish) Comments: P. leniusculus can be found in a variety of habitats, from small streams to large rivers and natural lakes. |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Keystone species References: Johnsen SI, Taugbøl T (2010) Pacifastacus leniusculus. NOBANIS Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet. Online Database of the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species - NOBANIS. http://www.nobanis.org Comments: The introduction of P. leniusculus has had a negative impact on native crayfish populations. The continued existence of P. fortis in the Pitt River of northeastern California is threated by the introduction of P. leniusculus because the latter is more aggressive and more fertile. In Europe, P. leniusculus appears to outcompete the noble crayfish, Astacus astacus, for shelter, leaving it more susceptible to predation. The spread of P. leniusculus throughout Europe has enabled this vector of crayfish plague to spread as well, decimating native populations. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Unknown Comments: Not available. |
Known human health impact? | Not known Comments: Not available. |
Known economic impact? | Known References: AquaNIS. Editorial Board, 2015. Information system on Aquatic Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Species. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.corpi.ku.lt/databases/aquanis. Version 2.36+. Accessed 2021-07-23. Holdich, D.M., Reynolds, J.D., Souty-Grosset, C., Sibley, P.J. 2009. A review of the ever increasing threat to European crayfish from non-indigenous crayfish species. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, 11: 394-395. Comments: Decimating native crayfish populations as a result of infestation by crayfish plague transferred by the signal crayfish (Holdich et al., 2009). |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Known References: AquaNIS. Editorial Board, 2015. Information system on Aquatic Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Species. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.corpi.ku.lt/databases/aquanis. Version 2.36+. Accessed 2021-07-23. Holdich, D.M., Reynolds, J.D., Souty-Grosset, C., Sibley, P.J. 2009. A review of the ever increasing threat to European crayfish from non-indigenous crayfish species. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, 11: 394-395. Comments: Decimating native crayfish populations as a result of infestation by crayfish plague transferred by the signal crayfish (Holdich et al., 2009). |
Included in the Target Species list? | Yes Comments: Assessed by the COMPLETE project experts (2021), included in target species list. |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Not entered |
Molecular information | Not entered |
Last update by | Monika Pelėdienė, 2022-01-19 |