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Wild About Illinois Crayfish!
Kingdom: Animalia - Animals are multicellular organisms that rely on other organisms for nourishment. There cells do not have cell walls. Most animals are capable of movement at least in some portion of their life cycle. Reproduction is generally sexual, but in some animals asexual reproduction may be utilized at certain times.
Phylum: Arthropoda – Arthropods have bilateral symmetry and a segmented body. An exoskeleton composed mainly of chitin makes up the body covering. Compound and simple eyes are present. They have an open circulatory system. They have jointed appendages.
Class: Malacostraca - Members of this large class of crustaceans may be found in freshwater, saltwater or on land. The group includes sowbugs, crabs, shrimp, amphipods, crayfish and others. These organisms have appendages with two branches. The body is either flattened top to bottom, flattened side to side or cylindrical.
Order: Decapoda - The Order Decapoda includes crayfishes, crabs and shrimps. These organisms have five pairs of walking legs. The body is divided into a cephalothorax and an abdomen. Gills are present in chambers and are attached to the legs. The compound eyes are on stalks.
Family: Cambaridae - The Cambaridae are the largest of the three families of freshwater crayfish, with over 400 species.
devil crayfish (Cambarus diogenes)
digger crayfish (Creaserinus fodiens)
northern clearwater crayfish (Faxonius propinquus)
prairie crayfish (Procambarus gracilis)
rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus)
virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis)
white river crayfish (Procambarus acutus)
