Illustrated taxonomic key of the Chilean species of Parastacidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Astacidea)

Abstract

The seven species of freshwater crayfishes of the Parastacidae family, which inhabit the fresh waters of Chile, are grouped in the genera Samastacus (1), Parastacus (2) and Virilastacus (4). The increasing anthropic activity that is currently observed in the center-south of our country is degrading, fragmenting and reducing the geographic extent of their respective habitats, which ultimately jeopardizes their conservation. This work compiles and systematizes information on the most conspicuous external morphological traits of crayfishes in general and of Chilean species in particular, with the objectives of: 1) generating an illustrated key that facilitates the identification of these seven species, and which in turn allows to distinguish the eventual occurrence of exotic species of Astacidea in the freshwater of Chile; and 2) promote their knowledge and conservation