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Laboratory trials to evaluate carbon dioxide as a potential behavioral control method for invasive red swamp (Procambarus clarkii) and rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus)

Kim T. Fredricks·John A. Tix·Justin R. Smerud·Aaron R. Cupp
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Abstract

Few effective strategies are available to control invasive crayfishes. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) acts as a behavioral deterrent for invasive fishes and could be a useful crayfish control tool. The objective of this laboratory study was to quantify CO 2 concentrations that caused red swamp crayfish (RSC; Procambarus clarkii ) and rusty crayfish (RYC; Faxonius rusticus ) avoidance behavior, altered emergence behavior, and caused loss of equilibrium. Behavioral endpoints were quantified under light and dark conditions and at 10 and 24 °C. Avoidance responses from both species varied widely. Under light conditions, 35 mg/L CO 2 was needed to induce the first avoidance shuttle in both crayfish species at 10 °C. CO 2 concentrations of 42 mg/L for RYC and 46 mg/L for RSC were required for first shuttle at 24 °C. The first avoidance shuttle was induced at 37 mg/L CO 2 for RYC and 54 mg/L CO 2 for RSC at 10 °C in the dark. At 24 °C, 44 mg/L CO 2 was required for first shuttle for both species. Less CO 2 was needed to cause the last avoidance shuttle in RYC compared to RSC at both temperatures and under both lighting conditions. RSC emergence occurred at 418 ± 77 mg/L CO 2 , and loss of equilibrium occurred for both species at 1,231 ± 201 mg/L CO 2 . RYC appeared to be more sensitive than RSC to CO 2 , but behavior did not differ among light and water temperature treatments. These results demonstrate that CO 2 alters crayfish behavior. The CO 2 concentrations identified during this study may inform field testing to develop CO 2 as a potential control tool for invasive crayfishes.

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Kim T. Fredricks, John A. Tix, Justin R. Smerud, Aaron R. Cupp. 2020. Laboratory trials to evaluate carbon dioxide as a potential behavioral control method for invasive red swamp (Procambarus clarkii) and rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus). https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2020.11.2.06

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