Some questions for my lab dissection (Crayfish)?

Question

1.How do Crayfish exchange gases, What is the advantages to this.
2. What is the crayfish's egological niche? Why is it successful there? What benefits does this hold for the Crayfish? What Problems?

Thanks for anyone who can help.

Answer 1

1. Crayfish exchange gases using gills that are located under the carapace. The gills have a feathery structure with lots of surface area. They are attached to the tops of the walking legs so they wave around a bit when the crayfish moves its legs. Because the crayfish spends much of its time in the water, gills are the best way to breathe.

2. The crayfish feeds on almost anything it finds, makes burrows in the banks of freshwater streams, ponds, and lakes, and has a place in the food chain as food for fish, raccoons, birds, and other animals. The crayfish is well-suited for life at the edge of freshwater -- camouflaged color, quick getaways with a quick flick of the tail, plenty of mud for burrows, plenty of dead materials to feed on. The problems for crayfish mostly have to do with water pollution and the presence of predators.