Biological Invasions

, Volume 13, Issue 2, pp 499–511 | Cite as

Physicochemical habitat association of a native and a non-native crayfish in the lower Flint river, Georgia: implications for invasion success

  • Lindsey W. Sargent
  • Stephen W. Golladay
  • Alan P. Covich
  • Stephen P. Opsahl
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Invasive species must cope with a suite of environmental conditions that are different from those in their native ranges. We examine how the physicochemical environment contributes to the invasion success of Orconectes palmeri, a non-native crayfish, in the lower Flint River basin, Georgia, USA. We examined the distribution of Procambarus spiculifer, a native crayfish, and O. palmeri within the lower Flint River basin, and examined associations between species relative abundance and physicochemical variables. Within the lower Flint River, O. palmeri was found almost exclusively at upstream sites, while P. spiculifer was more abundant downstream. We did not detect small O. palmeri downstream, suggesting little recruitment in this area. Within tributaries, only native crayfish were observed. O. palmeri was more abundant at sites with warmer water temperatures, and P. spiculifer was more abundant at sites with cooler water temperatures, which were maintained by ground water seepage. P. spiculifer abundance was also positively associated with abundance of coarse wood. Laboratory studies demonstrated that O. palmeri selected warmer temperatures than P. spiculifer, suggesting that warmer temperatures in the upstream area favor O. palmeri. Water temperatures may have increased in recent years due to human withdrawals from the aquifer and the installation of upstream dams, creating a thermal regime that P. spiculifer has not historically encountered. Our findings suggest that the maintenance of groundwater inputs and a forested riparian buffer is crucial to protect populations of P. spiculifer and to prevent further spread by O. palmeri, especially if climatic changes result in warmer waters.

Keywords

Orconectes palmeri Procambarus spiculifer Temperature Invasive species Groundwater Habitat alteration 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Bryan Cloninger for assistance with field work. In addition, Amy Rosemond, Christopher Skelton, and two anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments on the manuscript and ideas for improving the project. Funding and support for this research was provided by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, the Odum School of Ecology, and the University of Georgia.

Supplementary material

10530_2010_9844_MOESM1_ESM.docx (45 kb)
Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 44 kb)

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lindsey W. Sargent
    • 1
  • Stephen W. Golladay
    • 2
  • Alan P. Covich
    • 3
  • Stephen P. Opsahl
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameUSA
  2. 2.Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research CenterNewtonUSA
  3. 3.Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUSA

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