ECOLOGY
Why Are Crayfish Important?
Crayfish are familiar aquatic inhabitants of Ontario, and our largest freely mobile invertebrate animals. Most People donŐt recognize crayfish as members of individual species in the same way they recognize the difference between Robins and Wood Thrushes, but only nine crayfish species are known from Ontario, and they're fairly easy to tell apart. Each species has a different life-style, and a different effect on the community it lives in. Some crayfish live permanently in streams and lakes, while others burrow in soil.
What are Keystone Species?
Crayfish are key members of the aquatic community in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and some ditches and wetlands. Because they harvest such a wide range of food, and in turn are prey for so many larger fish, birds, and mammals, they're often keystones in their community. Great Horned Owls, Raccoons, Queen Snakes, Softshell Turtles, Mudpuppies, Bull Frogs, and Smallmouth Bass are among the predators of crayfish in Ontario.
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