Superfamily Astacoidea - Crayfish

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Crustacea (Crustaceans)

Class Malacostraca (Malacostracans)

Superorder Eucarida (Eucarida (Crabs, Crayfish, Shrimp, etc.))

Order Decapoda (Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp)

Infraorder Astacidea (Crayfishes and Lobsters)

Superfamily Astacoidea (Crayfish)

Other Common Names

Mudbug, Crawfish, Crawdad

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

see (1)

Explanation of Names

Astacoidea Latreille 1802

Numbers

Two families in North America: Cambaridae, which is widespread, and Astacidae, of which one genus (Pacifastacus) is found in the Pacific Northwest and the headwaters of some rivers east of the Continental Divide.

Identification

If you want a crayfish sexed or ID'ed to species, it is most helpful to have a good ventral view of the abdomen so that the pleopods (swimmerets) are clearly visible.

What to Photograph for ID:

Dorsal view of full carapace

Rostrum and Acumen

Areola

Dorsal view of Chelae ("claws")

Gonopods - the first set of pleopods are modified in males as the sex organs known as gonopods, and rest against the abdomen between the last set of legs. A good up-close photo of the gonopods can be critical for an ID of many different species. If at all possible, gently left the left gonopod away from the abdomen with a tooth pick and photo both lateral and mesial views with a macro capable camera or lens.

Print References

Hobbs H.H. (1989) An Illustrated checklist of the American Crayfishes (Decapoda: Astacidae, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae). Smithsonian Contrib. Zool. 480. iii+236 pp.

Works Cited

1.	An updated classification of the freshwater crayfishes (Decapoda: Astacidea) of the world, with a complete species list Crandall K.A., De Grave S. 2017. J. Crustac. Biol. 37: 615–653.

Contributed by Charley Eiseman on 8 November, 2009 - 11:52pm
Additional contributions by Mike Quinn, Jason D. Roberts, v belov, ekmoody, KenW, Edward Ruden
Last updated 6 September, 2021 - 1:43am

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