Ecological Isolation and Competitive Exclusion in Two Crayfish (Orconectes Virilis and Orconectes Immunis)

Abstract

The two crayfish, Orconectes virlis and O. immunis, have similar ranges but are ecologically isolated within these ranges; the former species inhabits streams and lake margins, the latter inhabits ponds and sloughs. Field and experimental data suggest that the stream species, O. virilis, is excluded from ponds by summer drying and periodic low oxygen periods of those ponds. It is not as competent a burrower as O. immunis nor is its as tolerant of low oxygen levels. Neither current nor substratum excludes the pond species, O. immunis, from the stream. But both field and laboratory observations strongly indicate a competitive exclusion of O. immunis by O. virilis. The latter was demonstrated to be intrinsically more aggressive in interspecific contacts, and in other experiments, evicted O. immunis from crevices in the substratum.