Use of Size–Frequency Data to Estimate the Age Composition of Crayfish Populations

Age-classes in crayfish populations can be determined from size–frequency data provided four tenets are adhered to: (1) only crayfish collected from areas of rock substrate are used; (2) trapping data are excluded; (3) species do not have longevities exceeding about 4 yr; and most importantly, (4) sample sizes are greater than about 200. Studies that have failed to follow these guidelines have met with limited success in dissecting mixed frequency distributions. Further, three validation procedures must be undertaken: (1) temporal replication within molting events to measure the precision of both data collection and size–frequency analysis; (2) corroboration with known-age crayfish from either field recaptures or laboratory molt increments; and (3) concordance with independent analysis of the mean size at onset of sexual maturity. When these checks support the size–frequency results, population age composition and analyses of rates of growth or mortality can be considered reliable.