LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Crayfish, crawfish, mudbugs -- whatever you call them, we're all familiar with them, whether you see them in a creek or you're eating them.
Aqueduct wildlife biologists, Brian Wagner, said there were 58 different species of crayfish in Arkansas but as of last week there are now 60.
“You can't find these new species in central Arkansas but you can find them in northern Arkansas; the Eleven Point River, the Spring River and the Strawberry River,” he said.
Wagner is responsible for both new findings and, to give him some credit, the species found in the Eleven Point river is named after him, Faxonius Wagneri. However, its common name is the Eleven Point Crayfish.
The species that's in the Spring River and the Strawberry River, they gave the common name, Spring River crayfish and it's Latin name is Faxonius Roberti.
Wagner said he is totally floored one of the crayfish is named after him.
In case you're wondering, no, you probably won't find these new species on your cardboard box at your next crawfish boil.
“They're smaller so there's really not much there to eat,” Wagner said.
However, Wagner said it's still exciting anytime new wildlife is discovered.
“It increases the species list for the state and it also allows us to highlight those that are the rarest so that when we're working with development we can take extra steps to protect those,” he said.
Wagner said he also wants to encourage people not to move crayfish from one river to another.