Dr. Bromer has been working with undergraduate research scientists for 30 years and has been studying the effects of invasive crayfish for 12 years. In 2007, a student wanted to study crayfish so we learned to identify the local crayfish from Chris Taylor at the Illinois Natural History Survey and Mike Redmer from the USFWS. Since then, we have been documenting the effects and distribution of Rusty Crayfish (Faxonius rusticus - previously Orconectes rusticus) in a dozen streams around Joliet, Il. Students have studied the effects of Rusty Crayfish on the macroinvetebrates, mating behavior and potential hybridization between native and Rusty crayfish, measured basal metabolic rates of native and Rusty crayfish, and the effect of substrate on crayfish distrbution among other studies.
This is the first project where the effects and effectiveness of possible control measures will be studied and I am really excited to take this next step with Emily because I am sure it will lead to more projects in the future.
