Cambarincola pamelae

Annelids-Oligochaetes

The 'crayfish leech' Camharincola pamelae is not a true leech, but an oligochaete of the family Branchiobdellidae, which function as ectoparasites and commensals on decapod crustaceans, primarily crayfishes. The worms are about 2-3 mm long, with a prominent head and ~10-13 segments.  This worm was described from Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), native to the southeastern United States, the presumed native region of C. pamelae. A shipment of Red Swamp Crayfish from Louisiana was infested with C. pamelae. In 2003, 71 of 76 Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the upper Chesapeake Bay were found to be infested with C. pamelae on their carapace and gill chamber. These crabs and worms were collected at a salinity of 0,9 - 2.85 PSU. Branchiobdellid worms feed on organisms living on the crayfish's body, and on dead tissue.  Impacts of these worms on Blue Crabs and crayfishes are unknown.