Virile Crayfish
Faxonius virilis
This record describes Faxonius virilis (species). Recorded family: Cambaridae. Recorded order: Decapoda.
Identification and Appearance
Chelae and legs mostly bluish with yellow tubercles. Body generally olive-brown to blue.
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
Native in the midwest, widely invasive.
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Decapoda, the group containing Faxonius virilis. 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.
Photos of Virile Crayfish (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric Moody; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason
Frequently Asked Questions About Virile Crayfish
What is Virile Crayfish?
Virile Crayfish (Faxonius virilis) is a species in the family Cambaridae, within the order Decapoda.
How do you identify Virile Crayfish?
Chelae and legs mostly bluish with yellow tubercles. Body generally olive-brown to blue.
Where is Virile Crayfish found?
Range: Native in the midwest, widely invasive.