Roger F. Thoma

A Reassessment of the Conservation Status of Crayfishes of the United States and Canada after 10+ Years of Increased Awareness

Abstract The American Fisheries Society Endangered Species Committee herein provides a list of all crayfishes (families Astacidae and Cambaridae) in the United States and Canada that includes common names; state and provincial distributions; a comprehensive review of the conservation status of all taxa; and references on biology, conservation, and distribution. The list includes 363 native crayfishes, of which 2 (⟨ 1%) taxa are listed as Endangered, Possibly Extinct, 66 (18.2%) are Endangered, 52 (14.3%) are Threatened, 54 (14–9%) are Vulnerable, and 189 (52.1%) are Currently Stable. Limited natural range continues to be the primary factor responsible for the noted imperilment of crayfishes; other threats include the introduction of nonindigenous crayfishes and habitat alteration. While progress has been made in recognizing the plight of crayfishes, much work is still needed.

Cambarus (Tubericambarus) polychromatus (Decapoda: Cambaridae), a new species of crayfish from the United States

ABSTRACT A new species of crayfish, Cambarus (Tubericambarus) polychromatus is described from the western Ohio, Indiana, southern and east-central Illinois, western and central Kentucky, southern Michigan, and western Tennessee areas of North America. Of the recognized members of the subgenus, it is most closely related to Cambarus (T.) thomai, found primarily in eastern Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee and western West Virginia. It is easily distinguished from other recognized members of the subgenus by its strongly deflected rostrum and lack of spines overhanging the telson.

Orconectes (Procericambarus) raymondi (Decapoda: Cambaridae), a new species of crayfish from southern Ohio

Abstract A new species of crayfish, Orconectes (Procericambarus) raymondi, is described from unglaciated portions of south-central Ohio, North America. Of the recognized members of the subgenus, it is morphologically most similar to Orconectes (P.) putnami, found in Kentucky and Tennessee and is easily separated from it by the presence of a strong rostral carina. It is distinguished from other recognized members of the subgenus by the rostral carina, mandible structure, and a first form male gonopod having a central projection approximately 50% of total gonopod length. An amended version of Taylors key to the members of the Orconectes juvenilis complex is provided.

Conservation of Imperiled Crayfish, Cambarus Veteranus (Decapoda: Reptantia: Cambaridae)

1 West Liberty University, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, P.O. Box 295, West Liberty, WV 26074, USA 2 U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA 3 Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Section of Invertebrate Zoology, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4080, USA 4 Midwest Biodiversity Institute, 4673 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, OH 43026, USA

Cambarus (Jugicambarus) magerae, a new species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Virginia

Abstract A new species of crayfish, Cambarus (Jugicambarus) magerae, is described from southwestern Virginia within the Valley and Ridge physiographic province of the North American Appalachian Mountains. The species is one of the smallest and most geographically restricted in the subgenus and possibly the genus. Morphologically, it is similar to Cambarus (J.) parvoculus Hobbs & Shoup, 1947 and Cambarus (J.) jezerinaci Thoma, 2000. It can be distinguished from both by its proportionally wider areola. Its distribution appears to be restricted to a single gorge in the South Fork Powell River upstream of Cracker Neck, a village east-southeast of Big Stone Gap located at the base of Powell Mountain.

CONSERVATION OF IMPERILED CRAYFISH—ORCONECTES (FAXONIUS) INDIANENSIS HAY (DECAPODA: CAMBARIDAE)

(TPS) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 620 South Walker Street, Bloomington, IN 47403-2121, U.S.A; and Crustacean Collection, Aquatic Research Center, Indiana Biological Survey, 6440 South Fairfax Road, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, U.S.A. (thomas_simon@fws.gov); (RFT) Crustacean Range, Museum of Biodiversity, The Ohio State University, 1351 Kinnear Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43212-1192, U.S.A. (bartonii@adelphia.com)

A case of Appalachian endemism: Revision of the Cambarus robustus complex (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in the Kentucky and Licking River basins of Kentucky, USA, with the description of three new species

The amazing levels of freshwater biodiversity found in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States are among the highest recorded globally. Localized endemics make up much of this diversity, with numerous fish, freshwater mussels, salamanders and crayfish often being restricted to a single watershed, and in some instances, subwatersheds. Much of this diversity is the product of the processes of vicariance and historical stream drainage patterns. Herein, we describe three new crayfish species, all previously members of the Cambarus robustus complex, which occur in the Appalachian portion of the Kentucky and Licking river basins in Kentucky, USA. All three species differ from each other morphologically, genetically, and zoogeographically, fulfilling the requirements of the integrated species concept. Cambarus guenteri occurs in the southern tributaries of the Kentucky River mainstem as well as throughout the South Fork Kentucky River. Cambarus taylori is a narrow endemic, which only occurs in the Middle Fork Kentucky River. Cambarus hazardi, which has the widest distribution of the three new species, occurs in the North Fork Kentucky River, Red River, and upper reaches of the Licking River basin. Stream piracy events between the Cumberland and South Fork Kentucky River, as well as the Licking, Red and North Fork Kentucky rivers, are theorized to be important in the evolution of this complex. Cambarus guenteri is proposed as currently stable, though both C. taylori and C. hazardi are considered imperiled at this time due to habitat destruction throughout both of their respective ranges.

Cambarus ( Jugicambarus ) adustus , a new species of crayfish from northeastern Kentucky delimited from the Cambarus ( J. ) aff. dubius species complex

A new species of burrowing crayfish, Cambarus (Jugicambarus) adustus, is described from Lewis County in northeastern Kentucky, USA. The new species is most similar morphologically to C. dubius. Cambarus adustus coloration differs from C. dubius by lacking red, orange and blue hues, and instead is brown over the entire body surface. Morphological differences between C. dubius and C. adustus exist in the form I male gonopod, with C. adustus possessing a caudal knob, while C. dubius does not. In addition, the lateral carapace of C. adustus is distinctly tuberculate, whereas in C. dubius the carapace lacks extensive tuberculation. Cambarus (J.) adustus appears to have an extremely small geographic range (~19.5 km2), and as such we suggest its consideration for both state and federal levels of protection.

Conservation of imperiled crayfish species - Cambarus veteranus (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

1 West Liberty University, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, P.O. Box 295, West Liberty, WV 26074, USA 2 U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA 3 Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Section of Invertebrate Zoology, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4080, USA 4 Midwest Biodiversity Institute, 4673 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, OH 43026, USA

Conservation status of North American freshwater crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the southern United States

1 West Liberty University, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, P.O. Box 295, West Liberty, WV 26074, USA 2 U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA 3 Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Section of Invertebrate Zoology, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4080, USA 4 Midwest Biodiversity Institute, 4673 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, OH 43026, USA