Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Feeding of the exotic Louisiana red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Decapoda), in an African tropical lake: Lake Naivasha, Kenya

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Louisiana red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, has had a major impact on aquatic ecosystems in Europe and America where it has been introduced for human consumption. In Lake Naivasha, where it was introduced in 1970, it is suspected of causing the complete disappearance of native floating-leaved and submerged plants by 1982 and again by 1996; recovery of submerged plants occurred in between, concurrent with a decline in P. clarkii. Examination of the feeding of P. clarkii by microscopic analysis of gut contents collected from the lake confirmed information from both its native and exotic ranges; that it is an omnivore with green plants and insects the predominant items recognised. Feeding experiments confirmed this omnivory, with a preference from herbivory over carnivory. They further showed the importance of native plants as opposed to exotic water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. It is concluded that P. clarkii could well have accounted for the observed elimination of native plant species in Lake Naivasha; the cyclical nature of populations of submerged plant species and of P. clarkii in inverse proportion to each other lead us to hypothesise that P. clarkii is a `keystone' species in the lake ecosystem.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrahamsson, S. A. A., 1996. Dynamics of an isolated population of the crayfish Asatsu astacus. Oikos 17: 96–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adams, C. S., R. R. Boar, D. S. Hubble, M. Gikungu, D. M. Harper, P. Hickley & N. Tarras-Wahlberg, 2002. The dynamics and ecology of exotic tropical species in floating plant mats: Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 488 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 168): 115–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arrignon, J. C. V., 1996. Produire et Vendre de l'écrevisse. La Pisciculture Française d'eau vive et d'Étang Saumâtre et Marine 126 (nº spécial): 36 pp.

  • Arrignon, J. C. V., J. V. Huner & P. J. Laurent, 1990. L'érevisse Rouge des Marais. Maisonneuve et Larose, Paris: 87 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avault, J. W. & M. W. Brunson, 1990. Crawfish forage and feeding systems. Rev. Aquat. Sci. 3: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avault, J. W., J. S. Forester & R. P. Romaire, 1977. Length–weight relationships of two commercially important crayfishes of the genus Procambarus. Freshwater Crayfish 3: 463–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avault, J. W., R. P. Romaire & M. R. Miltner, 1983. Feeds and forages for red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii: 15 years reasearch at Louisiana State University reviewed. Freshwater Crayfish: 362–369.

  • Bailey, R. G. & M. R. Litterick, 1993. The macroinvertebrate fauna of water hyacinth fringes in the Sudd swamps (River Nile, southern Sudan). Hydrobiologia 250: 97–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, A., 1959. Analyse des conditions impropres au développement de la jacinthe d'eau Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms dans certaines rivières de la cuvette congolaise. Bulletin agricole du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi L(2): 365–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn, R. D., L. G. Holm & L. W. Weldon, 1969. Aquatic weeds. Sciences 166: 699–709.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruynseels, G. & A. Lawalrée, 1981. Flore d'Afrique centrale (Zaïre, Rwanda, Burundi), Spermatophytes, Pontederiaceae. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise: 11 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgis, M. J. & K. M. Mavuti, 1987. The Gregory Rift. In Burgis, M. J. & J.-J. Symoens (eds), African Wetlands and Shallow Water Bodies. Directory. Coll. “Travaux et Documents”, O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris 211: 331–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, F. L., A. Beeby & P. Kirby, 1989. A study of the macroinvertebrates of Lakes Naivasha, Oloidien and Sonachi, Kenya. Rev. d'Hydrobiol. Tropic. 22: 21–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Correia, A. M. & A. C. Costa, 1994. Introduction of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Decapoda) in São Miguel, Azores, Portugal. Arquipélago 12: 67–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Correia, A. M. & O. Ferreira, 1995 Burrowing behaviour of the introduced red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Portugal. J. crust. Biol. 15: 248–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Covich, A. P., 1977. How do crayfish respond to plants and mollusca as alternate food resources? Freshwater Crayfish 3: 165–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Parcevaux, M. S., 1980. Possibilités d'utilisation de la Jacinthe d'eau en France. Colloque CENECA: 4 pp.

  • Dean, J. L., 1969. Biology of the crayfish Orconectes causeyi and its use for control of aquatic weeds in trout lakes. Technical Papers, United States Bureau of Sport Fishenes and Wildlife 24: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • François, J., 1969. Recherches expérimentales sur l'écologie de la jacinthe d'eau Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Thèse de doctorat, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Gembloux, tome 1: 334 pp.

  • Gaudet, J. J. & J. M. Melack, 1981. Major ion chemistry in a tropical lake basin. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 309–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaudet, J. J., 1977. Natural drawndown on Lake Naivasha, Kenya and the formation of papyrus swamps. Aquat. Bot. 3: 1–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaudet, J. J., 1979. Seasonal changes in nutrients in a tropical swamp: North Swamp, Lake Naivasha. J. Ecol. 67: 953–981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gopal, B., 1986. Water Hyacinth: Biology, Ecology and Management. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam: 471 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouder, A.-C. de B., D. M. Harper, F. Malaisse & J.-J. Symoens, 1998. Dynamique récente et cartographie de la végétation aquatique (1960–1996) du lac Naivasha (Rift Valley, Kenya). Bull. Séanc. Acad. r. Sci. Outre-Mer 44: 373–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez-Yurrita, P. J. & C. Montes, 1999. Bioenergetics and phenology of reproduction of the introduced red swamp cray-fish, Procambarus clarkii, in Doñana National Park, Spain, and implications for species management. Freshwat. Biol. 42: 561–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. M., 1991. Primary production in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 24: 1112–1116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. M., 1992. The ecological relationships of aquatic plants at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 232: 61–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. M., C. Adams & K. Mavuti, 1995. The aquatic plant communities at the Lake Naivasha wetland, Kenya: pattern, dynamics and conservation. Wetlands Ecology and Management 3: 111–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. M., K. M. Mavuti & S. M. Muchiri, 1990. Ecology and Management of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, in Relation to Climatic Change, Alien Species' Introductions and Agricultural Development. Environmental Conservation 17: 328–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickley, P. & D. M. Harper, 2002. Fish population and habitat changes in the artificially stocked fishery of Lake Naivasha, Kenya. In Cowx, I. (eds), Management and Ecology of Lake and Reservoir Fisheries. Fishing Books News, Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickley, P., R. North, S. M. Muchiri & D. M. Harper, 1994. The diet of the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. J. Fish Biol. 44: 607–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickley, P., R. Bailey, D. M. Harper, R. Kundu, M. Muchiri, R. North & A. Taylor, 2002. The status and future of the Lake Naivasha fishery, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 488 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 168): 181–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, H. H., J. P. Jass & J. V. Huner, 1989. A review of global crayfish introductions with particular emphasis on two North American species (Decapoda, Cambaridae). Crustaceana 56: 299–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofkin, B. V., D. K. Koech, J. Ouma & E. S. Loker, 1991. The North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii and the biological control of schitosome transmitting snails in Kenya: laboratory and field investigations. Biological Control 1: 183–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofkin, B. V., G. M. Mkoji, D. K. Koech & E. S. Loker, 1991. Control of schistosome-transmitting snails in Kenya by the North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 45: 339–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofkin, P. V., D. M. Hofinger, D. K. Koech & E. S. Loker, 1992. Predation of Biomphalaria and non-target molluscs by the cray-fish Procambarus clarkii: implications for the biological control of schitosomiasis. Ann. trop. Med. Parasit. 86: 663–670.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huner, J. V., 1983. Procambarus in North America and elsewhere. Chap. 9. In Holdich, D. M. & R. S. Lowery (eds), Freshwater Crayfish. Biology, Management, and Exploitation. Croom Helm, London & Sydney and Timber Press, Portland, Oregon: 239–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilhéu, M. & J. M. Bernardo, 1993a. Aspects of trophic ecology of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard) in Alentejo, South of Portugal. Actas VI Congreso Español de Limnología, Granada: 417–423.

  • Ilhéu, M. & J.M. Bernardo, 1993b. Experimental evaluation of food preference of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii: vegetal versus animal. Freshwater Crayfish 9: 359–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilhéu, M. & J. M. Bernardo, 1995. Trophic ecology of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard) preferences and digestibility of plant foods. Freshwater Crayfish 10: 132–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindqvist O. V. & H. Mikkola, 1979. On the etiology of the muscle wasting disease in Procambarus clarkii in Kenya. Freshwater Crayfish 4: 363–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lisowski, S., F. Malaisse, J.-J. Symoens & J. Van de Velden, 1978. Flore d'Afrique Centrale (Zaïre, Rwanda, Burundi), Spermatophytes, Potamogetonaceae. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise: 12 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litterick, M. R., J. J. Gaudet, J. Kalff & J. M. Melack, 1979. The limnology of an African lake, Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Workshop on African Limnology, SIL UNEP, Nairobi: 61 pp.

  • LNROA, 1993. A Three Phase Environmental Impact Study of Recent Developments around Lake Naivasha (phase I). John Goldson Associates, Nairobi: 124 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodge, D.M., M.W. Kershner & J. E. Aloi, 1994. Effects of an omnivorous crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) on a freshwater littoral food web. Ecology 75: 1265–1281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodge, D. M., R. A. Stein, K. M. Brown, A. P. Covich, C. Bronmark, J. E. Garvey & S. P. Klosiewski, 1998. Predicting impact of freshwater exotic species on native biodiversity: challenges in spatial scaling. Aust. J. Ecol. 23.

  • Lorman, J. & J. J. Magnuson, 1978. The role of crayfish in aquatic ecosystems. Fisheries 3: 8–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowery, R. S. & A. J. Mendes, 1977a. Procambarus clarkii in Lake Naivasha and its effects on established and potential fisheries. Aquaculture 11: 111–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowery, R. S. & A. J Mendes, 1977b. The biology of Procambarus clarkii in Lake Naivasha, Kenya; with a note on its distribution. Freshwater Crayfish 3: 203–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, R. C. & B. C. Wolverton, 1979. The water hyacinth: from prolific pest to potential provider. Ambio 8: 2–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. C., 1975. Crayfish production in a small woodland stream. Freshwater Crayfish 2: 449–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathews, M. & J. D. Reynolds, 1992. Ecological impact of crayfish plague in Ireland. Hydrobiologia 234: 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, M. A., J. D. Reynolds & M. J. Keatinge, 1993. Macrophyte reduction and benthic community alteration by the crayfish Austrapotamobius pallipes (Lereboullet). Freshwater Crayfish 9: 289–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikkola, H., 1979. Ecological and social problems in the use of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Kenya. Freshwater Crayfish 4: 198–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morshiri, G. A. & C. K. Goldman, 1969. Estimation of assimilation efficiency in crayfish Pacilastacus leniusculus. Arch. Hydrobiol. 68: 298–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nystrüm, P. & J. A. Strand, 1996. Grazing by a native and an exotic crayfish on aquatic macrophytes. Freshwat. Biol. 36: 673–682.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, T. M., D. M. Lodge, G. M. Capelli & R. J. Houlihan, 1991. Mechanism of impact of an introduced crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) on littoral congeners, snails, and macrophytes. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 48: 1853–1861.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oluoch, A. O., 1990. Breeding biology of the Louisiana red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii Girard in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 208: 85–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prins, R., 1968. Comparative ecology of the crayfish Orconectes rusticus and Cambarus tenebrosus in Doe Run, Meade County, Kentucky. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 53: 667–714.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rickett, J. D., 1974. Trophic relationship involving crayfish of the genus Orconectes in experimental ponds. Progressive Fish-Culturist 36: 207–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T.W., 1971. Theory of feeding strategies. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 2: 369–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, T. R. & C. R. Goldman, 1983. The crayfish Procambarus clarkii from California ricefields: ecology, problems and potential for harvest. Freshwater Crayfish 5: 418–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabuti, J. R. S., H. Oryem-Origa, G. M. Mutumba & J. T. Kashambuzi, 1998. Partitioning of Soluble Calcium in the Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes [Martius] Solms) in Lake Victoria, Uganda. Bot. Acta 111: 297–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Triest, L. & J.-J. Symoens, 1983. Flore d'Afrique Centrale (Zaïre-Rwanda-Burundi), Spermatophytes: Najadaceae. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise: 9 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Triest, L., 1987. A Revision of the Genus Najas L. (Najadaceae) in Africa and Surroundings Islands. A.R.S.O.M., Classe des Sciences Naturelles et Médicales, Mémoires in-8°, Nouvelle Série, Tome 21, fasc. 4, Bruxelles: 88 pp.

  • Triest, L., 1989. Flora of Tropical East Africa, Najadaceae. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Brookfield: 9 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Troupin, G., 1988. Flore du Rwanda, Spermatophytes. Volume IV, Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, Annales Série in-8°-Sciences économiques, no 16, 1987. Musée Royal de l'Afrique centrale, Tervuren: 651 pp.

  • Verschuren, D., J. Tibby, K. Sabbe & N. Roberts, 2000. Effects of depth, salinity, and substrate on the invertebrate community of a fluctuating tropical lake. Ecology 81: 164–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent, C., T. Davies & A. Beresford, 1979. Recent changes in the level of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, as an indicator of equatorial westerlies over East Africa. Climatic Changes 2: 175–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiernicki, C., 1984. Assimilation efficiency by Procambarus clarkii fed Elodea (Egera densa) and its products of decomposition. Aquaculture 36: 203–215.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Andrew C. Smart

    Present address: Duchy College, Rosewarne, Camborne, TR14 0AB, Cornwall, U.K

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, U.K

    Andrew C. Smart, David M. Harper & Stephanie Coley

  2. National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Domaine de Bouchout, B-1860, Meise, Belgium

    François Malaisse & Sophie Schmitz

  3. Laboratoire d'Ecologie, FUSAGx, Passage des Déportés 2, B-5030, Gembloux, Belgium

    Anne-Christine Gouder de Beauregard

Authors
  1. Andrew C. Smart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David M. Harper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. François Malaisse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sophie Schmitz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Stephanie Coley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Anne-Christine Gouder de Beauregard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David M. Harper.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smart, A.C., Harper, D.M., Malaisse, F. et al. Feeding of the exotic Louisiana red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Decapoda), in an African tropical lake: Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 488, 129–142 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023326530914

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023326530914

Search

Navigation