Crayfish

Name:Virile Crayfish Scientific Name: Orconectes virilis

Freshwater crayfish are globally common and diverse crustaceans. They are more than 540 species of crayfish in the world, of which 11 are found in Canada.

There are nine species in Ontario and two species are of provincial conservation concern, the Meadow or Devil Crayfish and Chimney or Digger Crayfish. There are currently no crayfish species designated as Species at Risk.

According to the General Status of Species in Canada (2010), there are two species of crayfish which are sensitive, (species that are not believed to be at risk of immediate extirpation or extinction but may require special attention or protection to prevent them from becoming at risk), the Meadow Devil Crayfish and Chimney or Digger Crayfish.Another five are secure and two are exotic (Obscure Crayfish and Rusty Crayfish). In the General Status of Species in Canada (2010), ‘exotic’ refers to species that have been moved beyond their natural range as a result of human activity. Provincially, the term invasive (or invading) species is used to describe introduced species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy or society, including human health.

 
The greater threats to crayfish in Ontario are competition from exotic crayfish and habitat loss. Exotic crayfishes have already caused local loss of native crayfishes in Ontario, but these native species are currently not in danger of disappearing provincially. Habitat destruction includes wetland loss, development of shoreline habitat and damming.

For more information on provincially tracked crustaceans, see the list of species on the Natural Heritage Information Center (NHIC).

For more information on Species at Risk designations and their current status, see the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) website.

Photography
Premek Hamr