DISTRIBUTION OF THE RED SWAMP CRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS-CLARKII (GIRARD, 1852) (DECAPODA, CAMBARIDAE) IN MEXICO - AN UPDATE

A study of the distribution of Procambarus clarkii in northern Mexico led to the conclusion that this crayfish is native to Central Rio Bravo and its tributary, Rio Salado, in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. The Sierra Madre Oriental and the Meseta del Norte, with elevations of 1,000 or more m above sea level, provide barriers that have inhibited more western natural dispersion. We point out that P. clarkii is exotic in central-west Tamaulipas, central Nuevo Leon, western Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California, where its presence has resulted from repeated man-made introductions. The habitat preferred by this crayfish in northern Mexico is lotic (73%), with a mud bottom (62.5%), and aquatic vegetation was present in 50% of the known localities.