Kisatchie Painted Crayfish
Faxonius maletae
This record describes Faxonius maletae (species). Recorded family: Cambaridae. Recorded order: Decapoda.
Identification and Appearance
Texas and Louisiana both consider this to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda (Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp)
- Superfamily
- Astacoidea
- Family
- Cambaridae
- Genus
- Faxonius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
ne TX to w. LA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Plants and carrion (LDWF)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Orconectes (Orconectes) maletae Walls, 1972
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Decapoda, the group containing Faxonius maletae. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Decapoda includes ~15,000 described species of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. Although primarily marine and freshwater, some species like hermit crabs and coconut crabs are fully terrestrial.
Ecological role of the group
Crayfish are keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, influencing water clarity, sediment dynamics, and plant communities. Hermit crabs play vital roles in nutrient cycling on tropical islands.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global shrimp industry alone is worth over $45 billion annually. Crayfish are important aquaculture species and invasive crayfish cause ecological damage estimated in the hundreds of millions annually in Europe and North America.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO fisheries statistics, freshwater ecology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kisatchie Painted Crayfish
What is Kisatchie Painted Crayfish?
Kisatchie Painted Crayfish (Faxonius maletae) is a species in the family Cambaridae, within the order Decapoda.
How big is Kisatchie Painted Crayfish?
Cephalothorax to ca. 40 mm long (LDWF)
Where is Kisatchie Painted Crayfish found?
Range: ne TX to w. LA
What does Kisatchie Painted Crayfish eat?
The diet of the Kisatchie Painted Crayfish includes Plants and carrion (LDWF).