Biology and Ecology of Crayfish

Crayfishes are familiar creatures that play integral roles in many freshwater ecosystems as a result of their biodiversity, abundance, or function. Many crayfish species live in streams, rivers, and lakes, while others are restricted to springs, swamps, and even underground waters; serves as important links in the food chain, feeding on living and dead plants, other invertebrates, and fish. Crayfish also are important indicators of water quality and environmental health, flourishing in clean waters and perishing in polluted waters. Considerable work has been focused on the roles and ecological effects of introduced crayfish, and increasing attention is being directed at understanding the distributions, life histories, phylogenies, ecological roles, and conservation issues of native crayfish species. This novel edition 'Biology and Ecology of Crayfish' brings together wide-range information of these important animals, including taxonomy, anatomy, evolution, physiology, growth and reproduction, behaviour, ecology & conservation, diseases, genetics, immunology, and environmental aspects. The contributed chapters are written by world-wide authors and researchers. The book will be of valued for students and practitioners and anyone involved with the biology or exploitation of crayfish, including freshwater and invertebrate biologists as well as a valuable resource for library collection in all universities and research institutions where biological sciences, fisheries or aquaculture are studied.