Presence of the Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) (Parastacidae, Astacoidea) in a freshwater system in the Caribbean drainage of Costa Rica

Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) was first introduced into Costa Rica during 1985. Currently there are aquaculture holding facilities for this species in the Costa Rican Pacific drainage. This study is the first to report the presence of C. quadricarinatus in natural freshwater systems at the Caribbean drainage of Costa Rica. This may has been the result of accidental releases of this non-native crayfish from holding facilities. Future surveys are needed to assess the effects of this crayfish on the freshwater systems of Costa Rica and its communities.