Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.

Native to the Pacific Northwest, P. lenisculus has established itself in new areas of the US, Europe, and Japan. Its invasion has led to the decline of native crayfish species, both through competition and as a vector of crayfish plague. This crayfish also alters native habitats, reduces abundances of macroinvertebrates and macrophytes, and influences the behavior of native fish. High climate matches in a good portion of the US increase the risk. Overall risk for this species is high.

Publication date

Jun 1, 2015

Type of document

High Risk

Program

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.

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Subject tags

Invasive species