Procambarus clarkii Siamese Twins

Text by Enrique Aniceto, photos by Porfirio Herrera

The first case of crayfish twins’ occurrence was reported in January 2002 for the crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus by Harlioglu*. Before that no such observations had been found in the literature. Presumably, twin stage 1 juveniles from the signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, were observed in such study. The twins consisted of two stage 1 juveniles that were fused at the head. Each juvenile had a separate abdomen and thorax and had the appropriate number of appendages and a telson, all characteristic of a normal stage 1 juvenile. We do not have a copy of Harlioglu work, therefore we don't know if he had shown pictures of the findings. .

The twin babies are now two weeks old, but at this point I ignore for how long it will be alive. Unless we hear something different, its only fair to present these photographs as the first case reported of two week old twins crayfish for Procambarus clarkii. .

MM Harlioglu The first report on the occurrence of twins in a freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Decapoda, Astacoidea). Folia Biol (Krakow), January 1, 2002; 50(3-4): 215-6.

Caution: These photographs are copyrighted, unauthorized use will be pursued!