About the Invasive Crayfish Collaborative
The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative (ICC) brings industry, science, and land management stakeholders together to improve the management of invasive crayfish in the Great Lakes region. It is convened and facilitated by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Illinois Natural History Survey with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
What’s New
Featured Publications
Teacher's Guide: The Crayfish Curriculum
Explore our NGSS and CCSS-aligned science lessons designed to teach students about freshwater ecosystems and the important role crayfish play in the Great Lakes region. These hands-on lessons are adaptable for grades 2-12. Enhance your teaching toolkit and spark a passion for conservation in your classroom!
Review and Download the Crayfish Curriculum Here
The Five-Year Strategic Plan to Advance the Management of Invasive Crayfish
This plan, developed with ICC member input, will guide the work of the ICC for the next five years (2025-2029). It aims to foster collaborations across different jurisdictions and disciplines, connect members with stakeholders, and provide members with the necessary resources to reach our mission of reducing the impacts of invasive crayfish in the Great Lakes region.
News
News release: Minnesota DNR classifies 13 invasive plants, animals as prohibited
Environmental regulators have classified a dozen aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates as prohibited invasive species in Minnesota- one being the invasive marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis).
Research reveals hope for managing invasive red swamp crayfish
Originally from the southeastern U.S., the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) has become an unwelcomed world traveler. Here in the U.S., they are commonly spread by unsuspecting aquarium-hobbyists or biology teachers releasing the unwanted pet into their backyard ponds and rivers. Despite the destructive nature of this species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service haven’t given up the fight.
Scientists work to stop self-cloning crayfish in Burlington, Ont., pond after 1st detection in Canada
The invasive marbled crayfish was discovered last summer in Burlington, and a group of experts have been working to stop the species from spreading.
Signal crayfish confirmed in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of signal crayfish, an invasive non-native species, in Lake Winona.
Literature
Genomic Data Characterize Reproduction Ecology Patterns in Michigan Invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Adams, N. E., Homola, J. J., Sard, N. M., Nathan, L. R., Roth, B. M., Robinson, J. D., & Scribner, K. T. (2024) Genomic Data Characterize Reproductive Ecology Patterns in Michigan Invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Evolutionary Applications, 17(9), e70007. doi.org/10.1111/eva.70007
Global invasion and biosecurity risk from the online trade in ornamental crayfish
Olden, J. D. and Carvalho, F. A. C. (2024). Global invasion and biosecurity risk from the online trade in ornamental crayfish. Conservation Biology, 38 (5), e14359. doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14359
First record of the non-indigenous crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), in Nova Scotia, Canada
Pratt, C. J., Poirier, L. A., Bond, M., Campbell, L. M., Kingsbury, S., Burbidge, C., & Hominick, C. (2024) First record of the non-indigenous crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), in Nova Scotia, Canada. BioInvasions Records, 13(3), 815-824. doi.org/10.3391/bir.2024.13.3.
Intraspecific variation in crayfish behavioral traits affects leaf litter breakdown in streams
Kabalan, B. A., Reisinger, A. J., Pintor, L. M., Scarasso, M. A., & Reisinger, L. S. (2024). Intraspecific variation in crayfish behavioral traits affects leaf litter breakdown in streams. Oecologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/
Can intensive trapping to reduce the abundance of an invasive crayfish benefit an imperiled congener?
Reisinger, L., Tripp, N., Atchia, A., Bolds, S., Cook, D., Fralick, K., Ganas, D., & Hayman, B. Can intensive trapping to reduce the abundance of an invasive crayfish benefit an imperiled congener? (2024). Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 34(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.
Factors influencing detection of invasive Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) in Michigan Ponds
Budnick, W. R., Hayes, D., Herbst, S., Kanefsky, J., Nathan, L., Roth, B. M., Sard, N. M., Scribner, K. T., Smith, K. & Thomas, S. (2024) Factors influencing detection of invasive Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) in Michigan Ponds. Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-024-05492-8
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