Current threat to the native endemic Muckalee Crayfish (Procambarus gibbus) from an invasive crayfish (Faxonius palmeri creolanus) and tests of cold tolerance as a limiting factor

Abstract

Surveys for native and invasive crayfish were conducted in Muckalee creek in 2015 and 2021. Both surveys used passive minnow traps and examined upstream and downstream sites, including at the mouth of the creek where it connects with the Flint River. The Flint River has been overrun with an invasive crayfish species, Faxonius palmeri creolanus (Creole Painted Crayfish) and its range has spread rapidly throughout southwest Georgia. In Muckalee Creek there were only a few F. p. creolanus found during each survey and both times they were only found at the mouth of the creek. One hypothesis on why they don’t invade these tributaries is the impact of lower temperatures in the tributaries compared to the Flint River itself. We tested survival aggressive behaviors of F. p. creolanus with the Muckalee endemic and state protected Procambarus gibbus (Muckalee crayfish) and found no negative effects of cold on F. p. creolanus. It is possible that there are some other habitat or water chemistry impacts on the invasive species, or that the species will still expand its range into these tributaries and potentially extirpate the native P. gibbus