Shasta crayfish
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| Pacifastacus fortis (Faxon, 1914) |
The Shasta crayfish (Pacifastacus fortis), also known as the placid crayfish, is an endangered crayfish species endemic to California. It is found only in isolated spots on the Pit and Fall Rivers. It has always had a very small native range, and that range has been significantly fragmented by such human activities as damming, mining, and agriculture. To make matters worse, the signal crayfish, a recently introduced species, has very successfully outcompeted the Shasta crayfish in much of its range. The Pit River Fish Hatchery was closed in order to protect this species. The animal requires a constant, steady, and untainted flow of fresh water to survive. Further steps in the recovery plan for the species are underway.
The Shasta crayfish is thick and stocky, with relatively heavy chelae. It is usually dark brown dorsally with bright orange areas on its underside, but there is also a brilliant blue color morph. It is about 3 inches long. It lives in cold, clear, rocky areas of the mountain rivers and feeds on the slime coating the rocks.
[edit] References
- American Fisheries Society Endangered Species Committee (1996). Pacifastacus fortis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2c v2.3)
