Development and First Tests of a Lab-Scale Electric Field for Investigating Potential Effects of Electric Barriers on Aquatic Invasive Invertebrates

Canals and other connected waterway systems, including the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), have often facilitated spread of non-native species. Electric barriers recently emerged as a method for preventing this protecting uninvaded ecosystems from new invaders. The largest system electric in world is CAWS operated primarily to prevent invasive Asian carp. It not known whether these are effective species, particularly invertebrates. Here, we provide data regarding efficacy an field that operates at same parameters barrier affecting behaviors two invertebrate red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii amphipod Hyalella azteca . We constructed within tank existing determined effects on our test At barriers, vast majority P. individuals showed altered movement with maintained equilibrium. For H. , behavioral responses were less extreme than experiencing movement. By measuring orientation organisms field, affected by especially lower strengths where they exhibited no or little response. strengths, changes orientation, but higher able orient themselves. all strengths. results study suggest may slow invertebrates—including amphipods crayfish—through passive attached boats/barges through downstream drift, active upstream Overall, work gives fields invertebrates can inform management decisions current future CAWS.