Non-Molluscan Invertebrate Unit
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Crayfishes of North Carolina
The southeastern United States is the global center of biodiversity for crayfishes. With more than 45 described species, North Carolina is home to approximately 10% [non-exclusively] of known North American crayfish taxonomic diversity. Several of these species are known only from the State. The pace of taxon discovery in crayfishes has not slowed in recent years, and consequently our understanding of what constitutes a species continues to shift.
Despite the near ubiquitous nature and ecological importance of these organisms, a lot of work still needs to be done to understand the diversity and distribution of crayfishes in North Carolina's freshwaters. If you would like to help, either directly with fieldwork/collection, or indirectly through access to streams, rivers, or areas with burrowing activity, please contact us!
For more information about crayfishes in North Carolina, visit the NC Wildlife Resources Commission crayfish information page.
Check back here for updates on North Carolina's crayfishes, including species lists, identification tools (e.g., keys), photos, and more.
Despite the near ubiquitous nature and ecological importance of these organisms, a lot of work still needs to be done to understand the diversity and distribution of crayfishes in North Carolina's freshwaters. If you would like to help, either directly with fieldwork/collection, or indirectly through access to streams, rivers, or areas with burrowing activity, please contact us!
For more information about crayfishes in North Carolina, visit the NC Wildlife Resources Commission crayfish information page.
Check back here for updates on North Carolina's crayfishes, including species lists, identification tools (e.g., keys), photos, and more.
Crayfishes beyond North Carolina
Much of the current crayfish research in the NCSM Non-Molluscan Invertebrate Unit extends beyond the borders of North Carolina. As above, check back for updates on non-NC crayfish taxa.
For several useful links to crayfish information, visit the Global Crayfish Resources at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History page, maintained by Dr. James Fetzner.
For several useful links to crayfish information, visit the Global Crayfish Resources at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History page, maintained by Dr. James Fetzner.
