Speaking up for the little guys
Crayfish, Crawfish, Crawdad: The Biology and Conservation of America’s Favorite Crustacean by Zackary Graham (University of North Carolina Press, 2026)
Reviewed by Thomas Chesnes
Some cases for conservation by scientists are easier to make to the public than others, especially when the imperiled species are large, charismatic, perhaps even “cute.” It is a tougher case when the organisms are nearly invisible to the untrained eye or when they appear to be bug-like or menacing in appearance. Add to it that these types of organisms typically live in habitats that most do not consider as biological hotspots worthy of conservation, such as roadside ditches or impacted wetlands.
It should be a simple case, however, because without these types of species, many ecosystems and the food webs that they support will collapse. As straight-forward is the ecological argument, it is moot if there is no one to notice, collect the data, and advocate for it. Crayfish, Crawfish, Crawdad makes the case not just for the importance of freshwater arthropods but the importance of those who study and appreciate underappreciated species.
As the book title states, these crustaceans go by a number of common names, usually depending on geographical location and the context of the interaction. Where “crayfish” may be the accepted common name, species may be referred to “crawdads” or “mudbugs” when used as fishing bait, they are almost exclusively called “crawfish” in the Gulf States or in a culinary context. In the pet trade, some are mistakenly referred to as “freshwater lobsters.”
Zackary Graham’s passion and enthusiasm for these organisms is obvious and apparent throughout this book. His writing style is narrative driven, with personal stories and anecdotes interwoven with the peer-reviewed scientific literature. His descriptions of the field and lab methodologies are informative and fun to read. There are numerous sidebars and full color photos showing the subtle and often vibrant beauty of crayfish diversity.
Graham effectively makes the case for why we should care about crayfish. Crayfish hold a vital position in the semi-aquatic food web. To quote an adage, “crayfish eat everything, and everything eats crayfish.” They are opportunistic, generalist omnivorous feeders. They, in essence, clean up the swamp. Above them, they are consumed by both aquatic and terrestrial predators. As far as food chains go, they are in the center of it all. They are even ecological engineers because their burrows modify and enhance the hydrology and habitat for themselves and other species. They are considered a keystone species, where if they disappeared, the system would not be the same. Graham emphasizes the importance of crayfish as “model organisms” in early neurological research as well as current work on crayfish responses to pharmaceutical pollution (the highlighted study on anti-depressant exposure and crayfish risk-taking behavior is fascinating!).
Aquatic pollution is one of many threats facing crayfish populations. Graham dedicates a few chapters to detailing these threats. In an all too familiar scenario, the example of the Shasta Crayfish, located in the Pacific northwestern United States, illustrates the negative population impacts by exotic species having an unfair advantage in outcompeting the native organisms. In this case, the exotic invader is another crayfish species. Across the country, an Appalachian species, the Guyandotte River Crayfish, is used as an example of a population impacted by land use degradation, in this instance coal mining upstream. Graham tells this story from his perspective as a post doctorate at West Liberty University, where he is now faculty.
These stories also show the importance of the people doing the work on behalf of these underappreciated species. Graham is gifted in introducing the reader to a variety of what he describes as “crayfish people:” kids flipping rocks, professional scientists, citizen scientists, naturalists, volunteers, undergrads filing out of university vans, looking for field experience or just extra credit--all playing their role in crayfish conservation.
Thankfully other noncharismatic species have their people, similar to the crayfish. They are often the first line of defense against potential extinction due to a preventable threat. Their dedicated work is the source of new knowledge and species discovery. Countless conservation projects have been subsidized or kept alive by local experts and enthusiastic volunteers, especially in times where funding for pure research is harder to come by.
This book was an enjoyable read, though I am aware of my bias as a field ecologist who specializes in subtropical swamps. Many of the anecdotes, the inhospitable habitats, the sometimes awkward interactions with passersby whilst knee deep in said habitat, and the often public indifference to really cool and important discoveries resonated with me. With numerous photos and an engaging writing style, this book would be accessible and enjoyable to anyone with an interest in the natural world and the underappreciated little guys who keep the systems functioning.
Tom Chesnes, Ph.D. is an overeducated beach bum and a native Floridian. He typically works in and writes about the ecology of subtropical wetlands.
