effect of hydroperiod on the growth of the crayfish species Procambarus alleni and Procambarus fallax: Two keystone species in the Florida Everglades

The Everglades ecosystem is home to two species of freshwater crayfish: the Everglades crayfish Procambarus alleni and the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax. These species play a key ecological role by transporting energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels. Understanding the factors that regulate crayfish growth is an essential step in restoring their productivity in the Everglades ecosystem. In order to determine the effect of hydroperiod on crayfish growth, I collected crayfish from the Florida Everglades and subjected them to one of three hydroperiod treatments. The growth of both crayfish species in reduced hydroperiod treatments was significantly less than those in long hydroperiod treatments. Procambarus alleni had a significantly faster initial growth rate than P. fallax, which may give it a competitive advantage in shorter hydroperiod marshes and help explain the distributions of these two species. The results of this study indicate that lengthening hydroperiods in the Everglades ecosystem may have a positive effect on crayfish productivity.