Crayfish decline in Algonquin Park lakes linked to lack of calcium
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - 20:20
in Paleontology & Archaeology
Researchers have linked the localized near-extinction of a native crayfish species in four lakes in Algonquin Park to declining calcium levels. Crayfish shed their protective carapace -- the upper exoskeleton that is primarily composed of calcium carbonate -- several times during their life cycle and, as a result, have high calcium requirements. The researchers found that lack of calcium in the lakes has contributed to a decline in crayfish populations.