This smaller redclaw was one of many specimens present in south Texas final month. TPWD / Fb
Researchers from the College of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Texas Division of Parks and Wildlife not too long ago got here throughout an enormous species of crayfish in a pond close to Brownsville. The redclaw crayfish, which comes from Australia, has been in the USA for a while, however these are among the first to be documented within the wild in Texas.
Between January and March of this yr, a workforce of researchers at UT collected three of the crayfish from an house advanced pond that connects to an area resaca close to Brownsville, which is situated in South Texas close to the Mexican border. (A resaca is a small, remoted lake that outcomes from seasonal flooding.) Then, in July, aquatic biologists from TPWD collected three extra specimens from the identical location.
“We don’t know when these invasive crayfish have been first launched or how far they’ve unfold, however we do know they will have a unfavorable impact on native species and biodiversity,” TPWD aquatic biologist Dr. Archis Grub stated in a press launch.
These weren’t the primary Australian redclaws present in Texas both. In 2013, Seth Patterson discovered and recorded a feminine crayfish with a number of infants on iNaturalist and reported the encounter to TPWD. Patterson’s crayfish was additionally discovered within the Rio Grande Valley.
Australian redclaw crayfish are a lot bigger than their North American counterparts. The species can develop as massive as two kilos, which is roughly the load of an average-sized Maine lobster. This dimension distinction is one motive the species issues native biologists.
“Due to their bigger dimension, they will have an even bigger ecological imprint on habitat modification,” Grubh explains. “One good factor is these usually are not burrowers, so we’re not too involved they’ll begin digging by the stream banks in a bigger method, however they’re undoubtedly recognized to change the vegetation.”
Along with their huge dimension, Australian redclaw crayfish are prolific reproducers, and wholesome females will drop 1000’s of eggs per yr. At this charge, the species can alter habitat, outcompete native crayfish species, and instantly feed on native fish communities. As soon as the crayfish set up their inhabitants, they’re practically inconceivable to eradicate, based on the Australian New South Wales Authorities.
The species can be recognized to hold crayfish plague, a illness that has decimated crayfish populations in Europe and elsewhere. The illness is a priority for aquatic managers, however the dangers are presently unknown.
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Redclaws are farmed in aquaculture operations worldwide, together with Belize, Indonesia, and China. There have been makes an attempt in the USA to lift the species in captivity, however most have failed. At this time, Florida is without doubt one of the solely states that enables the species to be farmed.
Texas officers contemplate the non-native crayfish an unique species and it’s unlawful to lift them for buy, sale, or launch within the state. Because of this, TPWD officers consider the species was almost definitely launched by the aquatics commerce.
“Launch of aquarium life is sadly a key means by which invasive species comparable to these crayfish are launched,” TPWD senior scientist Monica McGarrity defined within the press launch. She added that well-meaning aquarium house owners generally suppose they’re doing the best factor by releasing their pets into the wild, however doing this often leads to hurt to the ecosystem.
“Proper now, it’s simply making the general public conscious and getting some data so you may put pins on the map to see how far the unfold is,” says Grubh. “Spreading the phrase about this invasive species and reporting sightings to TPWD may help us higher perceive the place it’s distributed so we are able to doubtlessly take steps to assist forestall its unfold.”
