U.S. & Wildlife Service Caribbean Freshwater Fish and Aquatic Conservation Initiative, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office

Overview families and 1 species of . Many of Studies of Caribbean freshwater these species and others occur elsewhere crustaceans started back in the 1800s in the Caribbean. and the interest in studying their , ecology and role in the aquatic Ecology ecosystems has increased greatly during These freshwater crustaceans have a the recent years. They are diverse, variety of food preferences that include widely distributed and commonly found deposit feeders, filter feeders, scavengers, in rivers, streams, creeks, riparian storm omnivores and predators. Many species water guts, and permanent freshwater are food source for larger predators such Puerto Rican freshwater crab pools. Species of Caribbean freshwater as , , fish and other riparian (Epilobocera sinuatifrons), crustaceans include shrimps, crabs and and terrestrial fauna. They vary in size credit UPR-RP/O. Pérez-Reyes crayfish. and some species can reach a length of a foot. Several species are important for Habitat and Life Cycle local recreational and are part of Caribbean freshwater shrimps inhabit the diet of human communities. the river mouths as well as high altitude mountain streams. Their life cycle is Threats and Conservation Measures complex and all species have migratory Freshwater crustaceans face a variety behavior; they move downstream to of threats due to changes in their marine or estuarine environments during environment. Anthropogenic activities different life stages. Adults mature and result in ecosystem degradation and reproduce in headwater streams and loss of fauna. Dams, water intakes, Spinning basket (Atya lanipes), the larvae are transported downstream river channelization, culverts and other credit UPR-RP/O. Pérez-Reyes to estuaries and marine environments road crossing structures can disrupt where they develop further. The larvae the connectivity of the migratory fauna may spend several months in estuarine affecting the ecosystem integrity. Land or marine ecosystems and then migrate cover and land use due to unsustainable back upstream as juveniles. agricultural practices and urban development is a major threat to these The only endemic species of freshwater species causing alterations in the crab present in Puerto Rico is commonly physicochemical parameters of water, known as the Puerto Rican freshwater increasing sedimentation, and changing crab or “buruquena” and it has been the habitat composition. reported also in the the U.S. Virgin Islands. Unlike freshwater shrimps, The negative impacts of exotic species the Puerto Rican freshwater crab does such as the Australian red claw crayfish Cascade river (Macrobrachium not have migratory behavior since it is ( quadricarinatus) that was heterochirus), credit UPR-RP/O. restricted to freshwater habitats and illegally introduced to Puerto Rico in 1997 Pérez-Reyes adjacent riparian zones. In addition, the have not been quantified but it poses a larval stages are completed within the threat to the native fauna and could affect eggs which are held under the mother’s the ecological integrity of the ecosystem. abdomen until they hatch. According to In addition, freshwater decapods are a genetic study, the populations of this important for human consumption and species are significantly differentiated overharvesting might be an issue if among rivers of the island. data is not well documented.

Native Freshwater Crustaceans The USFWS Fish and Aquatic A total of 18 species of crustaceans Conservation Program collaborates with belonging to the order have partners to successfully restore aquatic been identified in Puerto Rico and many habitats by the removal of physical of these species have been reported in the barriers, replacement of culverts and Big claw river shrimp (Macrobrachium U.S. Virgin Islands: 17 species of shrimps road crossing structures, construction of carcinus), credit UPR-RP/O. Pérez-Reyes belonging to eight genera and three fish ladders, and rehabilitation of stream U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service banks for the benefit of the aquatic species. On-going efforts to minimize threats to aquatic ecosystems include the following: development of conservation strategies for high priority species to maintain stable populations, restore and enhance aquatic habitats, control of invasive species, and public outreach to educate the people in the importance of aquatic resources and our conservation mission.

For more information please contact: Alexandra M. Galindo, Fish Biologist Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Coastal and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Programs Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office

Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 491 Boquerón, PR 00622 Tel: 787/851 7297 Fax: 787/851 7440

February 2018