Integrated Science and Technology

   B.S. Biology (1990), Marshall University             
   M.S. Biology (1992), Marshall University             
   Ph.D. Environmental Science (1997),  University of Louisville

Crayfishes of West Virginia
 

Marshall University Crayfish Press Release....   What's new

The extirpation of Orconectes limosus from West Virginia due to the introduction of the

 non-native crayfish species Orconectes virilis

Casey D. Swecker, Thomas G. Jones, Keith Donahue, and Geoffrey D. Smith

Historically, the range of crayfish Orconectes limosus, extended from Maine, southward into northern Virginia, including eastern portions of the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.  A survey of Opequon Creek in 1989 by Jezerinac and others resulted in the capture of only two species; Cambarus bartonii bartonii and the non-native Orconectes virilis.  In 2005 and 2006, crayfish were collected from streams within the West Virginia portion of O. limosus range, including locations where previously documented captures had occurred.  Methods of capture included hand collection (wading and SCUBA assisted), seining, and electrofishing.  To date 647 crayfish have been collected resulting in no O. limosus individuals being captured.  The non-native O. virilis was present at 26 of the 30 sites sampled.  The wholesale exclusion of O. limosus for this portion of its range, presumably by the non-native crayfish O. virilis,  does not bode well for the conservation of the species and can be used as a model to show the potentially devastating impact of the introduction of non-native species. Presented 2007 NABS; Currently under revision 

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