The Burrow Habitat of the Crayfish, Cambarus diogenes diogenes (Girard)

Abstract

Data were collected on various physical and chemical parameters of the burrow microenvironment of the crayfish, Cambarus diogenes diogenes. While the pH levels of the burrow water were well within the range tolerated by most crayfishes, the dissolved oxygen content of the burrow water appeared to be below that necessary to sup- port crayfish respiration. Burrow-depth measurements showed little seasonal variation. Soil-texture analyses revealed that the crayfish were burrowing in soils classified as clay and silty clay. These results are discussed in terms of the fossorial life-style adopted by