Date of Award

2018

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dr. Thomas Jones, Committee Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr. Mindy Armstead

Third Advisor

Dr. Zachary Loughman

Abstract

Crayfish are among the most imperiled faunal groups globally. The continued spread of invasive species is a major impact to crayfish. Invasive species, much like the native species, are often understudied. As declines continue, invasive species spread, and new species are discovered; additional life history studies are as important as ever for crayfish conservation. Life history data was collected for rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) from October 2017 to September 2018 in Sunfish Creek, Monroe County, Ohio. Faxonius rusticus are native to the Ohio River drainage around Cincinnati, Ohio but have extensively expanded their range over the past 30 years. Sunfish Creek is a direct tributary to the Ohio River and known to be invaded by F. rusticus. Collections were conducted monthly obtaining morphometric data, representative photo vouchers, and population observations and trends. Evidence of reproduction was noted in winter to early spring with gravid females observed from March to May of 2018. Free living juveniles were first observed in June of 2018. Adult female total carapace length (TCL) ranged from 15.0 to 37.5mm with the smallest female observed with eggs at 18.7mm. Adult male TCL ranged from 15.0 to 41.9mm with Form I and Form II males observed during all months of data collection. Juveniles were observed during all months of data collection with TCL measurements that ranged from 4.2 to 14.9mm. Life history data observed for Faxonius rusticus in Sunfish Creek provided insight to an invasive population that has become well established 50 years post invasion.

Subject(s)

Crayfish culture -- Ohio - Monroe County.

Crayfish -- Ecology.

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