Range Extension of the Non-native Northern Crayfish Faxonius virilis (Hagen, 1870) (Decapoda: Cambaridae) to British Columbia, Canada

Here I report the expansion of the northern crayfish Faxonius virilis (Hagen, 1870) (Decapoda: Cambaridae), a non-native species, into the Kootenay River Basin in southeastern British Columbia. Observation of this crayfish occurred in late summer 2023 at Moyie Lake, British Columbia based on active search collections from the littoral areas of the north end of the lake. I recorded 12 F. virilis individuals in 15 minutes of search, and the abundance and the occurrence of juvenile and adult females and males suggests that they are well established in the lake. As this region has been identified as having high invasion potential and risk for impact, further research on this species' range in the area and its effects on the local ecosystem will be useful to guide management actions.