Upstream-migration
Guides
Orconectes limosus
spiny-cheek crayfish
Orconectes limosus, commonly known as the spiny-cheek crayfish, is a freshwater crayfish native to North America that has become a widespread invasive species in Europe. First recorded in Belarus in 1997, it has demonstrated rapid upstream dispersal, spreading 177 km along the Neman River over 14 years. The species is now established in at least 8 river systems across the Neman, Narew and Western Bug basins. Surveys indicate potential competitive displacement of native crayfish species, as no native crayfish have been found co-occurring with O. limosus in invaded areas. The species exhibits notable social behaviors including mother-offspring recognition and kin-preferential interactions.