Assessment of burrowing behavior of Procambarus clarkii, in Fatmia Drain, Sharqya Governorate, Egypt; Case Study Overview

The invasive Red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii was introduced in early 1980s into the Egyptian freshwater system for aquaculture from the United State of America. It has been, since, rapidly expended in all aquatic ecosystems including streams, ponds, and marshes; in polluted or clean waters. P. clarkii successfully adapted to Egyptian water streams and became an important component of the local aquatic fauna. It dispersed in fields and water canals through digging tunnels and burrows. Types of burrows and burrowing behavior of P. clarkii were assessed in Fatmia Drain in Dyarb-Negm, Zakazek Center, Sharkya Governorate, Egypt. These burrows were recorded in many crops fields. Damage to levees structure and banks was depending on P. clarkii densities and its burrowing behavior. Each burrow entrance was represented by the earth castle. The average number of burrows varied from 25 to 40 burrows / m² in poorly structured small channel banks of the study area. Burrowing behavior of P. clarkii triggered damage for levees and irrigation structures of small channels that forced the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to periodical pitching those banks.