List of species

Calico (formerly papershell) crayfish-Orconectes immunis (Hagen)

image of Papershell Crayfish distributionimage of Papershell crayfishThis rather plain, gray-green crayfish is characterized by a pale central zone along the middle of the carapace and abdomen. The pincers are orange-tipped, and in mature males are uniquely tinged with purple. The rostrum is without lateral notches or spines near its tip. Adults are about 1.7 to 3.5 inches in length.
The calico (or “papershell”) crayfish occurs widely in the Prairie Region and along the floodplains of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

It is almost always found over a mud bottom in turbid waters that fluctuate drastically in area and depth. Typical habitats are shallow sloughs and the isolated pools of prairie creeks. This crayfish retreats to burrows in late summer as the habitats in which it occurs dry up.
The calico crayfish superficially resembles the virile (or “Northern”) crayfish, and sometimes occurs in the same habitats. The latter species does not have a pale zone along the middle of the carapace and abdomen, and the rostrum has lateral notches or spines near its tip.

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Virile (formerly Northern) crayfish-Oronectes virilis ( Hagen)

image of Northern crayfish image of Northern Crayfish distributionThis crayfish is green-to-reddish-brown without prominent markings. The pincers are green with orange tips, and in adults are conspicuously studded with whitish knobs. Paired blotches run lengthwise along the abdomen. The rostrum has conspicuous notches or spines near its tip. This is one of our largest crayfish, with adults reaching a length of 4.8 inches or more.

The native range of the virile (“Northern”) crayfish encompasses all of the Prairie Region and a band of streams along the northern and western border of the Ozarks. Small, widely scattered populations now occur elsewhere in the Ozarks as accidental bait-bucket introductions. In the Prairie Region this crayfish is very abundant in the pools of rocky streams.

The viriel crayfish is the largest of crayfish in the Prairie Region. The calico (“papershell”) crayfish differs from this species in having pincers that are gray or purple, a pale lengthwise stripe along the middle of the carapace and abdomen, and a rostrum without lateral notches or spines.

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Prairie crayfish-Procambarus gracilis (Bundy)

image of Prairie crayfishimage of Prairie Crayfish distributionThis crayfish is bright red to reddish-brown, without conspicuous blotches or spots. The pincers are short and heavy, and the high, dome-shaped carapace is longer than the abdomen. The carapace is not separated at its middle by a space (areola). Adults are about 2.1 to 2.8 inches in length.

The prairie crayfish occurs widely in grasslands and former grasslands of the Prairie Region. It lives in burrows that are often a long distance from any surface water. These may be six feet of more in depth. Most public prairies in Missouri support large populations, but this crayfish is seldom seen by visitors because of its secretive habits.

The prairie crayfish superficially resembles the devil crawfish, another burrowing species. The devil crawfish is never a uniform bright red, as are many adult prairie crayfish. Males of the two species are readily separated by the shape of the gonopod tips (nearly straight in the prairie crayfish, strongly curved in the devil crawfish).

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Devil crawfish-Cambarus diogenes (Girard)

image of Devil crayfishimage of Devil Crayfish distributionThis powerfully built crayfish is usually a uniform olive or tan, without obvious blotches or spots. Occasional individuals are blue, with yellowish stripes on the abdomen and bright red outlining many body parts. The carapace is not separated at its middle by a space (areola). Adults are about 3.2 to 4.5 inches in length.

The devil crawfish is perhaps our most widely distributed crayfish, occurring over all except the west-central part of the state. It lives in burrows in timbered or formerly timbered areas along the floodplains of streams. Its presence is often revealed by conspicuous mud chimneys. In early spring, young and some adults occur in roadside pools and other temporary waters.

Another burrowing species, the prairie crayfish, superficially resembles the devil crawfish. However, adults of the prairie crayfish are often bright red. In males the tips of the reproductive structures (gonopods) are strongly curved in the devil crawfish, nearly straight in the prairie crayfish.

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Hubbs' crayfish-Cambarus hubbsi (Creaser)

image of Hubb's crayfishimage of Hubbs Crayfish distributionThis powerfully built crayfish is usually olive-tan or reddish brown, without prominent spots or blotches. A narrow blackish band is present at the junction of the carapace and abdomen. The carapace of Hubbs' crayfish is broad and dorsally flattened, and is separated at its middle by a space (areola). Adults are about 1.7 to 3.6 inches in length.

This crayfish occurs in streams on the southern slope of the Ozark Uplands, from Big Creek in Iron County west to the James River in Greene and Christian counties. Hubbs' crayfish occurs in the pools and riffles of clear, permanent streams, in burrows that it digs in gravel beneath large rocks. It is seldom seen in the open, but probably emerges from its burrow at night to feed.

Hubbs' crayfish is distinguished from other stream crayfish within its range by the broad, dorsally flattened carapace, unusually powerful pincers, and nearly uniform color without spots or blotches.

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Freckled crayfish-Cambarus maculatus (Hobbs & Pflieger)

image of Freckled crayfishimage of Freckled Crayfish distributionThis powerfully built, yellowish-tan crayfish has numerous conspicuous black spots on its pincers, carapace and abdomen. Adults are about 1.9 to 3.3 inches in length.

This crayfish occurs only in the Meramec River basin of Missouri. It digs burrows in gravel beneath large rocks, and probably emerges at night to feed.

The freckled crayfish is distinguished from all other species within its range by the pattern of conspicuous black spots over the entire dorsal surface.

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Salem cave crayfish-Cambarus hubrichti (Hobbs)

image of Salem Cave crayfishimage of Salen Cave Crayfish distributionThis crayfish is one of three (possibly four) blind, white (translucent) species that occur in subterranean waters of the Missouri Ozarks. Like the other cave crayfish, this species has long, narrow pincers and very long antennae. The carapace is separated at its middle by a wide space (areola) in the Salem cave crayfish. Adults are about 2.2 to 2.8 inches in length.

This crayfish occurs only in Missouri, in a broad area of the eastern Ozarks from Camden and Crawford counties southward to Oregon and Ripley counties. It is most often found in cave streams, and is sometimes collected at the mouths of springs.

The bristly cave crayfish (Cambarus setosus) occurs in the southwestern Ozarks. It differs from the Salem cave crayfish in having longer and more conspicuous bristles (setae) on the pincers. Also, the areola is very narrow or absent in the bristly cave crayfish.

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Coldwater crayfish-Orconectes eupunctus (Williams)

image of Coldwater crayfishimage of Coldwater Crayfish distributionThis medium-small, stout crayfish has a blue-green head and pincers, and a dark rust-brown carapace. The abdomen has a pair of conspicuous white lateral spots on the first segment, and a tapering V-shaped dark central stripe.

Adults are about 1.2 to 2.8 inches in length
The coldwater crayfish has a very localized distribution in the Eleven Point River and Spring River of southern Missouri and Arkansas. These clear, cold rivers are fed by two of the largest Ozark springs (Greer and Mammoth).

In the Eleven Point River and Greer Spring Branch this is the most abundant crayfish. It occurs over gravel substrate in swift current.
This crayfish is distinguished from other crayfish within its range by the distinctive red and green color and V-shaped central stripe on the abdomen.

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Mammoth Spring crayfish-Orconectes marchandi (Hobbs)

image of Mammoth Spring crayfishimage of Mammoth Spring Crayfish distributionThis is a reddish-brown crayfish with broad, powerful pincers. The pincers have numerous blackish specks on their basal parts. The abdomen is dark rust-red without specks. The carapace is light tan, with a dark brown band crossing the back of the head and another at the junction of the carapace and abdomen.Adults are about 1.4 to 2.4 inches in length.

The Mammoth Spring crayfish has a very localized distribution near Mammoth Spring in the Spring River of Arkansas and Missouri. In our state it has been collected only from Warm Fork (and two of its tributaries) of Spring River near Thayer. This may be Missouri’s rarest crayfish.

This crayfish bears a striking resemblance to the Ozark crayfish, and both species occur in the Warm Fork. Males of the two species are easily distinguished by the shape of the reproductive structures (gonopods). The gonopod tips are long and slender in the Ozark crayfish, short and blunt in the Mammoth Spring crayfish. The Ozark crayfish is lighter tan and less reddish, especially on the pincers.

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Ozark crayfish-Orconectes ozarkae (Williams)

image of Ozark Crayfishimage of Ozark Crayfish distributionThis crayfish is light brown to reddish-brown with numerous black specks on the pincers and often on the abdomen as well. The pincers are broad and powerful. Adults are about 1 to 3.4 inches in length.
The Ozark crayfish occurs widely on the southern Ozarks, from Roaring River and Flat Creek in Barry County eastward to the Little Black River in Ripley County. It seems to be absent from the North Fork River and Bryant Creek.

Common, superficially similar species within the range of this crayfish are the golden crayfish and the ringed crayfish. Both of these species lack conspicuous blackish specks on the pinchers and abdomen, and the ringed crayfish has prominent brown or black rings on the fingers near their tips.

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Ringed crayfish-Orconeces neglectus (Faxon)

image of Ringed crayfishimage of Ringed Crayfish distributionThis is a medium-sized olive-green to reddish-tan crayfish with prominent black or brown rings around the fingers of its pincers near their tips. The pincers are often very broad and heavy (especially in males), with a broad gape between the fingers when they are closed. A dark band crosses the carapace near its junction with the abdomen. A pair of dark stripes run lengthwise along the abdomen near its lateral margins. Adults are about 1.6 to 3.6 inches in length.

This is the most abundant crayfish in streams of the White and Neosho river basins. Two subspecies are recognized, O. n. neglectus (the ringed crayfish) in the Neosho River basin, and O. n. chaenodactylus (the gap ringed crayfish) in the White River basin. This crayfish burrows in gravel beneath large rocks.

No other crayfish within the range of this species has conspicuous black rings on the fingers. The Ozark crayfish is about the same size and build, but it has numerous dark specks on the abdomen and pincers.

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Woodland crayfish-Orconectes hylas (Faxon)

image of Woodland crayfishimage of Woodland Crayfish distributionThis is a stout, reddish-tan to dark brown crayfish with numerous blackish specks and blotches on the pincers, carapace and abdomen. A narrow crescent-shaped dark band extends across the carapace at its junction with the abdomen. A pair of whitish spots occur laterally on the first abdominal segment. Adults are about 1 to 2.6 inches in length.

The woodland crayfish occurs only in Missouri. It is the most abundant and generally distributed crayfish in Black River and its tributaries, and occurs sparingly in headwaters of Big River. It has been introduced into several streams (e.g., Stouts Creek, Carver Creek) in Iron and Madison Counties. This crayfish occupies burrows it digs beneath rocks in clear, permanent streams.

The woodland crayfish is easily distinguished from other similar species within its range by its brown coloration and blotched and speckled color pattern. It somewhat resembles the Ozark crayfish, but the two species do not occur in the same river basins (except for the introduced populations).

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St. Francis River Crayfish-Orconectes quadruncus (Creaser)

image of St. Francis River Crayfishimage of St. Francis River Crayfish distributionThis medium-small crayfish is brown, with blackish blotches and specks on the dorsal surface of the pincers and body (specks most numerous on abdomen). The pincers are often trimmed with red, and thickly set hairs (setae) are present in the gap at the base of the fingers. Adults of this rather small crayfish are about 1.2 to 2.4 inches in length.

The St. Francis River crayfish occurs only in Missouri, in the St. Francis River and its tributaries (exclusive of Big Creek and other streams supporting populations of the Big Creek crayfish). It lives in burrows dug in gravelly substrate beneath rocks.

The only other small brown native crayfish within the general range of this species is the Big Creek crayfish. The two species cannot be separated with confidence without comparing the male reproductive structures (short and blunt in the St. Francis River crayfish; long and slender in the Big Creek crayfish). The two species are rarely found in the same stream.

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Big Creek crayfish-Orconectes peruncus (Creaser)

image of Big Creek crayfishimage of Big Creek Crayfish distributionThis is a moderately small, brown crayfish without bright colors. Blackish specks and blotches occur over the dorsal surface of the body and pincers (specks most numerous on abdomen). The pincers are moderately broad and heavy. Adults are about 1 to 2.2 inches in length.

The Big Creek crayfish has a very localized distribution which is centered in Big Creek and its tributaries primarily on the west side of the St. Francis River basin. Other populations occur in Clark Creek and Twelve Mile Creek, direct tributaries of the St. Francis River. It lives in burrows dug in gravelly substrate beneath rocks.

The only other small brown crayfish native to the St. Francis River basin is the St. Francis River crayfish. The two species are readily separated by the shape of the male reproductive structures (gonopods), which are long and slender in the Big Creek crayfish, short and blunt in the St. Francis River crayfish. The two species are rarely found at the same locality.

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Longpincered crayfish-Orconectes longidigitus (Faxon)

image of Long Pincered crayfishimage of Long Pincered Crayfish distributionThis large, colorful crayfish is characterized by very long, slender blue-green pincers that are studded with prominent yellowish knobs. The carapace and abdomen are olive-tan trimmed with bright red. This is our largest native crayfish, with adults achieving a length of 6 inches or more. It reaches maturity at a length of about 3.5 inches.

The longpincered crayfish occurs only in the White River basin of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. It lives in the pools of Ozark streams along bluffs where large slabs of rock provide numerous crevices in which it spends the daylight hours. At night it emerges to forage over the stream bottom. Substantial populations of this species also occur in Table Rock Lake.

The long, blue-green pincers and large size distinguish this crayfish from other species within its range. The superficially similar spothanded crayfish has a conspicuous spot on each pincer at the base of the movable finger.

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Spothanded crayfish-Orconectes punctimanus (Creaser)

Spothanded crayfishimage of Spothanded Crayfish distributionThe most distinctive feature of this moderately large crayfish is the presence of a conspicuous black spot on each pincer near the base of the movable finger. The carapace is reddish brown or olive-brown, with a narrow crescent-shaped dark bar across its hind margin. The abdomen is olive-green, with bright red outlining the free margins of all its segments. The pincers, carapace and abdomen are without conspicuous dark specks or blotches. Adults are about 1.3 to 4.4 inches in length.

This crayfish occurs only in the Ozark Region of Missouri and Arkansas. It occurs in all principal drainages except the Osage and Neosho (Spring-Elk). In the White river basin it is confined to the North Fork and Bryant Creek. This crayfish occurs in clear, permanent-flowing streams, in backwaters and along the margins of pools.

The conspicuous black spot on each pincer readily distinguishes the spothanded crayfish from other species within its range.

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Golden crayfish-Orconectes luteus (Creaser)

image of Golden crayfishimage of Golden Crayfish distributionThis wide-ranging species is quite variable in color, but is typically olive-green suffused with golden yellow. The antennae and many body parts are trimmed with bright red. A dark band crosses the head just in front of the cervical groove, and another crosses the carapace at its junction with the abdomen. The tips of the fingers are red, bordered in some populations by conspicuous black bands. Adults of this moderately large crayfish are about 1 to 3.4 inches in length.

The golden crayfish is one of the most abundant and widely distributed crayfish in our state, occurring throughout the northern Ozarks, in Current River, and in prairie streams of northeastern Missouri. It lives in streams with permanent flow, in swift water over rocky bottoms and in beds of emergent aquatic plants.

This crayfish is distinguished from most other crayfish within its range by its olive-green and red coloration without conspicuous blotches or spots.

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Saddlebacked crayfish-Orconectes medius (Faxon)

image of Saddlebacked Crayfishimage of Saddlebacked Crayfish distributionThe most obvious features of this crayfish are the bold blackish band (saddle mark) across the hind margin of the carapace, and the absence of dark blotches or specks. Another bar crosses the head just in front of the cervical groove (groove separating head from thorax). The pincers are broad and powerful. Adults are about 1.4 to 2.6 inches in length.

The saddlebacked crayfish occurs only in the Ozark Region of Missouri, where it is found in the Meramec River and Big River drainages. In many small streams of that region it is the most abundant crayfish. This crayfish digs shallow burrows beneath rocks.

Similar species within the range of this species are the golden crayfish, which has a darker abdomen and red on many body parts, and the belted crayfish, in which the anterior saddle spans the cervical groove.

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Belted crayfish-Orconectes harrisoni (Faxon)

image of Big River crayfishimage of Big River Crayfish distributionThis medium-small, tan-colored crayfish has a distinctive pattern of alternating olive-green and reddish-brown bands on the abdominal segments. Another unique feature is the presence on the carapace of a broad, blackish band that spans the cervical groove (groove separating head and thorax). The pincers are narrow for a stream crayfish but are not especially long. Adult are about 1.4 to 2.4 inches in length.

The belted crayfish occurs only in Missouri, in Big River and its tributaries of the eastern Ozarks. It inhabits clear, permanent streams over a substrate of coarse rock.

Other similar crayfish within the range of the belted crayfish are the golden crayfish and saddlebacked crayfish. They are readily distinguished from the belted crayfish because the dark band crossing the head is entirely in front of the cervical groove.

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Williams' crayfish-Orconectes williamsi (Fitzpatrick)

image of William's Crayfishimage of William's Crayfish distributionThis is a small, rather plain crayfish without bright colors or bold markings. Its most distinctive feature is a pale, vase-shaped zone along the middle of the dark olive-tan carapace. The pincers are broad and powerful. Adults are about 1.3 to 2 inches in length.

Williams' crayfish occurs in the White River basin of Arkansas, and has been recorded in Roaring River and a few other streams of southern Barry, Stone and Taney counties. It lives in burrows in gravelly and sandy substrate beneath rocks.

Similar species within the range of Williams' crayfish are the Ozark crayfish, which has numerous dark specks on the pincers and abdomen, and the ringed crayfish, which has prominent black or brown rings near the tips of the fingers. These species reach a larger size than Williams' crayfish.

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Neosho midget crayfish-Orconectes macrus (Williams)

image of neosho Midget Crayfishimage of Neosho Midget Crayfish distributionThis small crayfish is a subdued mottled brown, with a prominent black band crossing the carapace near its junction with the abdomen. The body is stout, and the pincers are broad and powerful. Adults are about 0.9 to 2 inches in length.

The Neosho midget crayfish has a very localized distribution in the Spring and Elk river systems of the southwestern Ozarks. In this area it is one of the most abundant crayfish. It lives in short burrows that it digs in the bottoms of gravelly riffles.

This is the only small brown crayfish that occurs in the Spring and Elk river systems. Other species in these drainages achieve a larger size, are more greenish, and have conspicuous black rings or whitish tubercles on their pincers.

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Cajun dwarf crayfish-Cambarellus shufeldtii (Faxon) and swamp dwarf crayfish-Cambarellus puer (Hobbs)

image of Dwarf Cryfishimage of Dwarf Crayfish distributionThe two species of dwarf crayfish are appropriately named; adults range in length from 0.8 to 1.3 inches. The two species can be distinguished by examining the male reproductive structures, which are straight in C. shufeldtii and curved in C. puer. Both are reddish brown to gray, with a paired series of dark, wavy stripes or dashed lines along the dorsal surface. The tail fan usually has a dark central blotch. The pincers are narrow and long.

These small crayfish occur sporadically throughout the lowlands, and C. shufeldtii occurs on the floodplain of the Upper Mississippi River. They are found in shallow, temporary pools during wet seasons, retreating to cells they dig in mud or moist soil during periods of drought.

The two dwarf crayfish can be distinguished from the young of other lowland crayfish by the conspicuous dark pigment in the tail fan, and the lengthwise dark stripes or lines on the carapace. Also, the rostrum is flat, without a central troughlike depression.

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Ditch fencing (formerly

shield) crayfish-Faxonella clypeata (Hay)

image of Shield Crayfishimage of Shield Crayfish distributionThis small, tan crayfish has a pattern of paired blackish dashes along the surface of the carapace and abdomen. The pincers are narrow and cylindrical, with short, abruptly tapering fingers. The rostrum is broad, and without lateral spines or notches. The reproductive structures (gonopods) of males have long, slender tops, and the right and left tips cross each other diagonally. The areola (space in the middle of carapace) is very broad. Adults are about 1.1 to 2 inches in length.

The ditch fencing (“shield”) crayfish occurs at scattered localities in the Lowlands of southeastern Missouri. Specimens are collected in winter and early spring from intermittent creeks and seasonally flooded sloughs and swamps. This species retreats to burrows as water levels recede.

Most other small crayfish found within the range of the ditch fencing (“shield”) crayfish (dwarf crayfish and the young of other species) have a narrower rostrum, with lateral spines or notches near its tip. Many have the areola narrow or absent.

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Shrimp crayfish-Orconectes lancifer (Hagen)

image of Shrimp crayfishimage of Shrimp Crayfish distributionThis medium-small crayfish is light reddish brown to gray, thickly dusted with darker specks. It is characterized by an unusually long rostrum, with the tip (acumen) longer than the base. The carapace is not separated at its middle by a space (areola). The pincers are narrow and weak. Adults are about 2 to 3 inches in length.

The shrimp crayfish has been collected in Missouri only from the lower St. Francis River and Wolf Bayou. It occurs in the deep, permanent water of lowland rivers and oxbows, and has been taken from among tree roots and other cover along the banks.

The color pattern, shape of the rostrum, and absence of an areola will distinguish this crayfish from other species within its range. The gray-speckled crayfish is somewhat similar in appearance, but has heavier pincers and a shorter rostrum.

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Gray-speckled crayfish-Orconectes palmeri (Faxon)

image of Grey-Speckled crayfishimage of Grey-Speckled Crayfish distributionThis crayfish is gray with numerous greenish-black speckles and blotches on the pincers, carapace and abdomen. A pair of large blotches are present near the back of the head, and another pair occur near the junction of the carapace and abdomen. The fingers often have conspicuous cream-yellow tips. The carapace is not separated at its middle by a space (areola). Adults are about 1.4 to 2.6 inches in length.

This crayfish occurs widely in the Lowlands of southeastern Missouri and penetrates into adjacent sections of the Ozarks along the major streams. It is restricted to permanent-flowing waters, occurring among tree roots and organic debris, and beneath roots.

The gray-speckled crayfish is the only common Orconectes in the lowlands. Other typical crayfish of the region have longer, more slender pincers, and none have the pattern of dark paired blotches described above.

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Red swamp crawfish-Procambarus clakii (Girard)

image of Red Swamp Crayfishimage of Red Swamp Crayfish distributionAdults of this species are colored dark red (nearly black on the carapace), and have a wedge-shaped black stripe on the abdomen. Juveniles are a uniform gray, sometimes overlain by dark wavy lines. The pincers are narrow and long. The carapace is not separated at the middle by a space (areola). The carapace is conspicuously granular (roughened) in adults. The rostrum has lateral spines or notches near its tip. Adults are about 2.2 to 4.7 inches in length.

The red swamp crawfish is the most abundant large crayfish in many swamps, sloughs and sluggish ditches of the Lowlands. It generally avoids streams and ditches with strong flow, where it is replaced by the White River crawfish. The red swamp crawfish burrows during periods of drought or cold.

This crayfish most closely resembles the White River crawfish, which differs most obviously in having an areola. Young of the White River crawfish usually have spots on the carapace.

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White River crawfish-Procambarus acutus (Girard)

image of White River crayfishimage of White River Crayfish distributionAdults of this species are usually a deep burgundy red with a black V-shaped stripe on the abdomen. Juveniles are gray with dark spots scattered over the carapace. The pincers are long and narrow. The carapace is separated at its middle by a space (areola). The carapace is conspicuously granular (roughened) in adults. Adults are about 2.6 to 4.1 inches in length.

This crayfish occurs commonly in the lowlands of southeastern Missouri, and northward along the floodplain of the Mississippi River to Clark County, although it has recently been introduced into several locations to the west. It inhabits sloughs, swamps and sluggish lowland streams and ditches. It frequently burrows to escape drying or freezing.

The White River crawfish resembles the red swamp crawfish. The latter species differs most notably in lacking an areola. Young of the red swamp crawfish are usually plain or striped, not spotted.

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Vernal crayfish-Procambarus viaeviridus (Faxon)

image of Vernal crayfishimage of Vernal Crayfish distributionAdults of this crayfish are rust-red with a blackish wedge-shaped central stripe along the length of the abdomen. The carapace is smooth, and is separated at the middle by a narrow space (areola). The rostrum is broad and without lateral notches or spines near its tip. The pincers are moderately long and slender. Adults are about 1.8 to 3 inches in length.

The vernal crayfish occurs in the Lowlands of southeastern Missouri. In late winter and spring when water levels are high, this crayfish is found in temporarily flooded sloughs and other depressions. As water levels recede in late spring and early summer, it retreats into burrows, not to be seen again until the next wet-weather period.

Other similar crayfish within the range of the species are the red swamp crawfish and the White River crawfish. These species have a narrower rostrum (often with lateral spines) and a granular (roughened) carapace.

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