A West Liberty University researcher conducting crayfish surveys for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has discovered a new location where Guyandotte River crayfish live within that species’ historical range in Wyoming County, West Virginia. The researcher located the crayfish in the Clear Fork watershed and reconfirmed the species in its presumed last known location in Pinnacle Creek. However, the species was not found at any other historical locations in the Upper Guyandotte River basin.
The Service funded surveys this summer of the entire range of both the Guyandotte River crayfish and the closely related Big Sandy crayfish. The agency sought to collect additional scientific information after a status review was completed by an April 2015 deadline. Based on the best available information at that time, the Service proposed to protect both species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
This fall, after the surveys are completed and analyzed, the Service will reopen the comment period on its proposed listing rule to invite review of and comment on the survey and any other new information. The Service is statutorily required to make a final decision based on the best available information by April 7, 2016. If either or both species are listed as endangered or threatened, the ESA requires the Service to review the species’ range to identify areas that are considered essential for its conservation as critical habitat.
Occurrence data, historical habitat characteristics and information from species experts indicate that the historical range of the Guyandotte River crayfish included sites in the Upper Guyandotte River basin in Wyoming County and parts of Logan and Mingo counties.
Excessive sediments on stream bottoms are the primary threat to both crayfish species by preventing them from finding shelter under large boulders. This sedimentation typically results from soil erosion caused by activities such as fossil energy development, road construction and forestry operations. Best management practices can help control sediment and erosion during timber harvest, construction and other projects.
Other threats to the two species relate to the fragmented nature of their surviving populations. These small, isolated populations are inherently more vulnerable to local extinction caused by catastrophic events or low genetic diversity.
For the past forty years, the ESA has been successful in preventing the extinction of more than 99 percent of listed species. In addition to providing regulatory protections, listing under the ESA raises awareness about the need for coordinating conservation efforts, enhancing research programs and developing measures to help recover listed species.
Maps, photos and more information available at: www.fws.gov/northeast/crayfish.
