Cambarus Diogenes Research Articles

Diversity, Distribution and Habitat Use of Freshwater Crayfish in the Upper Appomattox River Basin, Virginia

The Appomattox River basin in Virginia is a poorly understood system for freshwater crayfish diversity and distribution. We sampled 36 locations in the upper Appomattox basin for crayfish and noted general habitat characteristics. The following 7 species of crayfish were discovered in the system belonging to 4 genera: Cambarus cf. acuminatus, Cambarus bartonii bartonii (Common Crayfish), Cambarus longulus (Atlantic Slope Crayfish), Lacunicambarus diogenes (Devil Crayfish), Procambarus acutus (White River Crayfish), Creaserinus fodiens (Digger Crayfish), and invasive Procambarus clarkii (Red Swamp Crayfish). Native C.cf. acuminatus dominates the upper Appomattox region, having a wider distribution and higher relative abundance compared to other species in the basin. All other taxa demonstrated relatively limited distributions and low abundance. The least encountered species were the 2 primary burrowing species, Devil Crayfish and Digger Crayfish, which exclusively used shallow seasonal pools during the spring breeding season. We report range extensions for C. cf. acuminatus, Atlantic Slope Crayfish, Common Crayfish, Devil Crayfish, Digger Crayfish, and Red Swamp Crayfish, and recommend additional surveys to improve our understanding of the diversity and distribution of crayfish in the Appomattox River basin. Furthermore, we recommend monitoring of the Briery Creek and Sandy River systems to assess the extent and severity of the Red Swamp Crayfish invasion. Additionally, we urge a systematic study to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty of a potentially new Creaserinus species in the Appomattox River basin.

Two new species of burrowing crayfish in the genus Lacunicambarus(Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Alabama and Mississippi.

While sampling for the Rusty Gravedigger, Lacunicambarus miltus, Taylor et al. (2011) found one or more potentially undescribed burrowing crayfish species in the genus Lacunicambarus inhabiting the area between the Pascagoula River and Mobile Bay in southern Alabama and Mississippi. Molecular analyses by Glon et al. (2018) confirmed that samples from this area were genetically distinct from other Lacunicambarus crayfishes. These findings prompted a dedicated sampling trip in January 2020. We used morphological and molecular analyses to investigate the specimens we collected and, based on our results, we describe two new crayfish species: the Lonesome Gravedigger, L. mobilensis sp. nov. and the Banded Mudbug, L. freudensteini sp. nov. Lacunicambarus mobilensis sp. nov. is sister to the Rusty Gravedigger, L. miltus, while L. freudensteini sp. nov. is sister to the Painted Devil Crayfish, L. ludovicianus. Both new species are currently known from a small number of sites in southern Alabama and Mississippi and may require conservation attention. In addition, we provide an updated key to Lacunicambarus crayfishes that includes these new species.

Rediscovery ofCambarus diogenes(Devil Crayfish) in Pennsylvania

North American crayfish biodiversity is in need of conservation attention, which requires monitoring to assess the status of potentially imperiled species. Pennsylvania has a long history of crayfish studies, dating back to the early 1900s and continuing today. We sampled 37 new and historical sites in southeastern Pennsylvania in an effort to locate remnant populations of Cambarus diogenes (Devil Crayfish), an ecologically important burrowing crayfish. While we did not find Devil Crayfish at any historical sites, we discovered a single population in Neshaminy State Park, indicating a decline in this species' range in Pennsylvania since the last survey, circa 1905. We attribute the statewide decline of Devil Crayfish to an inherently limited amount of suitable habitat, urbanization, and biological invasions, and recommend that steps be taken to protect this species.

English

Abstract Burrowing crayfish are a polyphyletic group of crayfish adapted to life in habitats where surface water is only intermittently available. The burrowing activity of these crayfish creates refugia for numerous other species, making them allogenic ecosystem engineers. While excavating devil crayfish burrows in a roadside ditch in Southern Indiana, USA, a large cicada killer wasp carrying an even larger cicada landed near the authors. The wasp spent a few minutes manipulating its prey, then took flight and flew directly into an unoccupied crayfish burrow in the roadside ditch. The wasp emerged approximately ten minutes later without the cicada and flew away. Female cicada killer wasps typically excavate brooding burrows consisting of numerous cells in which they deposit cicadas for their young to feed on upon hatching. We believe that this particular cicada killer wasp was in the process of provisioning a brooding cell, but used a crayfish burrow instead of digging its own burrow, possibly to save energy. To our knowledge, use of a crayfish burrow by a cicada killer wasp has not been documented before and adds to the list of organisms that benefit from the ecosystem engineering of burrowing crayfish, highlighting the importance of giving these crayfish appropriate conservation attention.

The role of abiotic and biotic cues in burrow habitat selection by juvenile crayfish

Environmental cues contain critical information for individuals while searching for mates and suitable habitat. Crayfish have well-developed chemosensory abilities for detecting environmental cues in water; much less is known about these abilities on land. The Devil crayfish (Cambarus diogenes) is a burrowing crayfish often found in dense floodplain colonies as adults. Juveniles however are released in surface water and must navigate overland to burrow. Previous work demonstrates juveniles use cues from conspecific adults, and to a lesser extent, soil cues, for burrow site selection. Using mesocosms, we build on this by examining burrowing cues associated with (1) congeneric adults, (2) excavated burrow material and (3) other juveniles. In contrast to conspecific adults, cues provided by congeneric adults did not override cues associated with soil type. Similarly, juveniles burrowed closer to conspecific adult burrow mounds than to congeneric and human-built mounds. Juveniles also showed significant grouping behaviour in the absence of all other cues. These results suggest juvenile crayfish integrate multiple terrestrial cues for burrow site selection.

The influence of soil type, congeneric cues, and floodplain connectivity on the local distribution of the devil crayfish (Cambarus diogenes Girard)

AbstractBurrowing crayfish are potentially important ecological links between terrestrial and aquatic systems, but little is known about what drives their local distribution patterns. We investigated potential mechanisms underlying the patchy local distribution of the devil crayfish (Cambarus diogenes Girard) in a stream floodplain ecosystem of the coastal plain of Alabama. We used a series of field surveys and laboratory trials to: 1) quantify local distributions and soil-type associations, 2) identify soil preferences of juveniles and adults, 3) examine the effects of biotic (adult occupancy) and abiotic (soil compaction) factors on juvenile burrowing preferences, and 4) investigate the role of floodplain connectivity on burrow density. Juvenile crayfish were more abundant in sandy streamside soils, whereas adults were more abundant in clay-based floodplain soils. In laboratory preference trials in artificial burrowing chambers, adults and juveniles showed affinity for floodplain over streamside soils, ...

A New, Non-Destructive Method for Sampling Burrowing Crayfish

Burrowing crayfish are typically sampled by excavation, which results in habitat destruction. Several less destructive trapping methods have been devised, though their results have been inconsistent in our experience. To conduct studies of growth and longevity, a more efficient method was needed to sample burrowing crayfish while leaving their burrows intact. We describe a new trap design based on a reversed pitfall trap. This trap was tested using a population of burrowing crayfish, Cambarus Lacunicambarus diogenes (Devil Crayfish), in Alabama. The weekly trapping success rate (n = 18 traps) over a 4-week period ranged from 6% to 33%, with an average success rate of 17%. We feel that the implementation of our design will enhance studies requiring nondestructive sampling.

Evaluating the non-consumptive, positive effects of a predator in the persistence of an endangered species

Failure to consider both the consumptive and non-consumptive effects of predators on prey can lead to erroneous conclusions about the net effect of the relationship. The predatory devil crayfish, Cambarus diogenes Girard functions as an ecosystem engineer constructing extensive burrow systems through aquatic habitats. Despite crayfish posing a serious predation threat, preliminary data indicate that the federally endangered Hines Emerald dragonfly larvae, Somatochlora hineana Williamson regularly inhabit crayfish burrows. During late summer, S. hineana larval habitat dries up; leaving crayfish burrows as some of the only wetted habitats. Thus, C. diogenes can affect S. hineana through both direct, negative and indirect positive effects. We examined the positive role of crayfish burrows as drought refuges, and the threat of predation by C. diogenes on S. hineana larvae. Monthly field sampling indicated that S. hineana use open channel areas in spring and early summer moving into burrow systems in mid summer when channel areas normally dry. Laboratory experiments and field observations confirmed that crayfish prey on S. hineana larvae. Adult crayfish were a larger predation threat than juvenile crayfish. Despite their negative predatory impact, removal of crayfish from burrows in the field did not enhance densities of S. hineana larvae. Although S. hineana may face the threat of predation in burrows, they face a greater risk of desiccation if they remain in the open channel. These results lead to the counterintuitive conclusion that the maintenance of a predator is important for conserving an endangered prey species.

Physiological responses to acute silver exposure in the freshwater crayfish (Cambarus diogenes diogenes)—a model invertebrate?

Adult crayfish (Cambarus diogenes diogenes) exposed to 8.41 +/- 0.17 microg silver/L (19.4% as Ag+) in moderately hard freshwater under flow-through conditions for 96 h exhibited ionoregulatory disturbance, elevated metabolic ammonia (T(amm)) production and substantial silver accumulation in the gills, hemolymph, and hepatopancreas. The ionoregulatory disturbance included both a generally reduced unidirectional Na+ influx and an increased unidirectional Na+ efflux, leading to a substantial net loss of Na+ from the silver-exposed crayfish. The Na+ uptake in silver-exposed crayfish differed overall from controls, while the increased Na+ efflux recovered to control values 48 h into the 96 h of exposure. The general inhibition of Na+ uptake could be explained by a reduced sodium/potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K-ATPase) activity in terminally obtained gill samples from the silver-exposed crayfish. The silver-induced effect on Na+ uptake and loss translated to reduced hemolymph Na+ concentrations but not significantly reduced hemolymph Cl- concentrations. Hemolymph T(anim) and T(amm) efflux both increased in silver-exposed crayfish, indicating an increased metabolic T(amm) production. The present study demonstrates that the toxic mechanism of waterborne silver exposure in freshwater crayfish resembles that of freshwater teleost fish. The crayfish might therefore be a useful model system for extending current environmental regulatory strategies, currently based on teleost fish, to invertebrates.

Occurrence of Psorospermium sp. in several North American crayfish species, with comparative notes on Psorospermium haeckeli in the European crayfish, Astacus astacus

Psorospermium haeckeli is a thick-walled, unicellular organism widely reported in European astacid crayfish. Its taxonomic status and life cycle have not been elucidated. It is often referred to as a “parasite”, but conclusive evidence has yet to be found. Recent examination of two North American crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii and Procambarus zonangulus, confirmed its presence in the south-central USA (Louisiana) with morphologies that differ from that of P. haeckeli. This form had been previously reported from Orconectes virilis in southern Canada. We report here the presence of this North American form of Psorospermium in additional North American crayfish including Orconectes immunis and Orconectes rusticus from the northern USA (Minnesota and Wisconsin), Procambarus alleni and Procambarus fallax from the southern USA (Florida), and Pacifastacus leniusculus from the western USA. We also confirm this Psorospermium in O. rusticus from eastern Canada (Ontario). It was not, however, confirmed in several additional southern crayfish species including Cambarus diogenes, Cambarellus puer, Fallicambarus fodiens, and Orconectes palmeri. We describe the morphological forms of this Psorospermium and conclude that it is present in many crayfish species in North America.

Effects of Freezing on the Function and Association State of Crustacean Haemocyanins

The addition of protease inhibitors and antibiotics provides a valuable means of stabilizing proteins in solution but this is less desirable if the physiological properties of a biological fluid, such as haemolymph, are to be accurately evaluated. Freezing haemolymph has proved to be a convenient way both of transporting samples from remote sites and of storage for longer periods. Although many investigators have suspected and intimated that freezing may affect haemocyanin function there are few data describing exactly what these effects may be. Mangum (1983a) provided some data for Squilla empusa haemocyanin indicating that freezing did not alter the P50 affinity but did reduce the cooperativity of O2 binding. Similar results were reported for Palaemon elegans (Bridges et al. 1984; Morris et al. 1985). These reports that cooperativity may be reduced by freezing indicate that structural changes occur that may lead to changes in affinity, despite the P50 remaining unchanged. The haemocyanins from two macruran and two brachyuran species were investigated; Homarus vulgaris (Selbie) and Cancer pagurus (L.) from Europe, together with Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana) and Cambarus diogenes (Girard) from North America. The effect of freezing on the affinity and cooperativity of oxygen binding was determined by the construction of oxygen equilibrium curves for fresh, native haemolymph and for the same haemolymph subjected to a known number of freezing cycles. The freezing protocol consisted of flash freezing (—80°C) the haemolymph in small samples which were kept frozen for 30 min before thawing at room temperature. Any required sample was withdrawn and the freezing cycle repeated appropriately. Oxygen equilibrium curves were constructed at 15 °C as described by Bridges et al. (1984) or Morris et al. (1988). Both methods are spectrophotometric and directly comparable. Oxygen affinity was analysed as the Pso in dependence of pH and the cooperativity was calculated for the same equilibrium curves (Fig. 1). Using a fiducial limit of P = 0-05, covariance analysis showed no significant change in AlogPso/ApH with respect to freezing. None of the four haemocyanins exhibited significant dependence of cooperativity (n^) on

MORPHOEDAPHIC AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF CRAYFISH DISTRIBUTION IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN

We surveyed crayfish distribution and abundance among 67 lakes in the Vilas County area of northern Wisconsin, and then used multiple regression to analyze the relationship between our results and various physical, chemical, and biological variables. The region is dominated by Orconectes rusticus, 0. propinquus, and 0. virilis, but Cambarus diogenes, Procambarus acutus, and 0. immunis are also present; only 0. virilis was previously documented from the area. No single variable or combination of variables fully explained variations in crayfish distributions. However, substrate, calcium level, geographic isolation as related to colonization opportunity, and lake size appear to be of general importance. Continuing introductions and competitive exclusion are also probably significant, resulting in a dynamic situation involving an interaction of multiple controlling factors. Although crayfish (Decapoda, Cambaridae) are a common component of lake and stream communities throughout most of the United States, relatively little is known about the mechanisms that determine species composition and abundance. In many areas species composition has changed significantly during the past few decades (Penn and Fitzpatrick, 1963; Schwartz et al., 1963; Hobbs and Walton, 1966; Crocker and Barr, 1968; Capelli, 1982). Physical-chemical factors, competition for food, interspecific aggressive interactions, and predation have been suggested as important (Bovbjerg, 1952, 1970; Eberly, 1960; Penn and Fitzpatrick, 1963; Stein, 1976; Berrill, 1978). Introductions by fishermen using crayfish as bait may be responsible for initiating many such changes (Crocker and Barr, 1968; Berrill, 1978). The general question of what determines species composition (both numbers and kind) in a community is central to ecology. During the past 20 years much of the theoretical work on determinants of species composition has been developed from the study of islands (MacArthur and Wilson, 1963, 1967; Rusterholtz and Howe, 1979). Barbour and Brown (1974) and Magnuson (1976) suggested that island biogeographic theories may apply in some degree to lakes, which like islands tend to be small, geologically recent, and isolated from other similar habitats. In this study we examined the relationship of crayfish species composition and abundance to physical and chemical factors, abundance of other crayfish species, and biogeographic factors, such as lake size, geographic isolation, and human use, in 67 lakes in the Vilas County area of northern Wisconsin. These waters exhibit a great range of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, and are located in three major drainage systems: the Lake Superior system flowing north, the Flambeau-Chippewa River system flowing southwest to the Mississippi River, and the Wisconsin River system flowing south, also to the Mississippi (Fig. 1). Because the glacial drift of the area is low in calcium and other soluble materials (Black et al., 1963), lakes generally have low alkalinity and low to moderate productivity. The majority are small seepage lakes of kettle origin, with no inlet or outlet, but numerous drainage lakes also occur. Drainage lakes tend to have higher levels of calcium and other dissolved materials, as well as higher overall productivity. Drainage lakes also provide better colonization opportunities. The major crayfish species in the area are restricted continuously to water and have no obvious natural way of colonizing a seepage lake.

Burrowing behaviour in the crayfish, Cambarus diogenes diogenes girard

The crayfish, Cambarus diogenes diogenes Girard (1852), spends most of its life cycle in individually constructed underground burrows. The architectural behavioral patterns and sequences with which adult C. d. diogenes excavate an underground chamber were evaluated. Two motor patterns (Pushing and Carrying) and three burrow stages (shallow depression, angular pit, and burrow with two openings) were identified. During the development of burrowing behaviour in juveniles, a third motor pattern (Fanning) occurred. While the three motor patterns are functional soon after hatching, crayfish may learn to orient the Carrying motor pattern for the most efficient excavation of a stage-3 burrow with two openings. The ground-water level determined the final structure of a burrow.

The presence of pteridines in the hypodermis as a taxonomic tool in crayfish

The hypodermis of nine species of crayfish, Cambarus bartoni, Cambarus diogenes, Cambarus fodiens, Cambarus robustus, Orconectes immunis, Orconectes obscurus, Orconectes propinquus, Orconectes rusticus, and Orconectes virilis, Found in central and southern Ontario was examined by thin layer chromatography cellulose sheets for pteridines. Each species had a distinctive pattern. Evidence is presented to support the possibility that the occurrence of interspecific hybrids between O. propinquus and O. rusticus is more likely than between O. obscurus and O. propinquus. Sexual dimorphism is reported in O. propinquus. A pteridine which fluoresces yellow under ultraviolet light was specific to C. bartoni. A generic difference between the genera Cambarus and Orconectes was noted. This research suggests that xanthopterin, isoxanthopterin, sepiapterin, 2-amino-4-hydroxypteridine, and biopterin are present in these crayfish and that pteridines, in conjunction with other taxonomic criteria, can be used as species characteristics in systematic studies.

Low temperature tolerance of insects in relation to the influence of temperature on muscle apyrase activity

The influence of temperature on the rate of apyrase activity was examined in species that differ in chill-coma and habitat temperatures. Correlations were sought which might account for the ability of some insects to remain at temperatures causing inactivation or chill-coma in other species. Muscle apyrase determinations were made with the housefly, Musca domestica; the sarcophagid fly, Sarcophaga bullata; the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella; the giant death's head roach, Blaberus craniifer; warm-, cold-, and unadapted American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana; warm- and cold-adapted mealworms, Tenebrio molitor; the crayfish, Cambarus diogenes; and the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. At given low temperatures the rates and temperature coefficients of apyrase activity were generally higher in animals with the lower chill-coma temperatures. However, at temperatures 3–4°C above the respective chill-coma temperatures, the rates were nearly the same in each species (0·4±0·1 μg P/mg muscle/min). The relationship between chill-coma temperature and temperature coefficient was linear; in the insects, 1°C difference in coma temperature was equivalent to a difference of about 2400 cal in μ-value. Apyrase rate maxima occurred at lower temperatures in species having lower chill-coma temperatures, and the maxima were greater in species that might be regarded as normally most active. In an intraspecific comparison apyrase activity at given temperatures was greater in cold-adapted than in warm-adapted P. americana. However, intraspecific adaptation appeared to have little or no effect on the temperature coefficients of apyrase activity. It was concluded that (1) higher apyrase rates, (2) higher temperature coefficients in species with lower chill-coma temperatures, and (3) the occurrence of a common rate of apyrase activity at a temperature several degrees above the respective chill-coma temperatures might well constitute important mechanisms involved in the adaptive compensation permitting maintenance of activity at low temperatures. The data are consistent with the suggestion that perhaps a minimum rate of hydrolysis of ATP is necessary to permit muscular contraction.

The Subspecies of Cambarus diogenes

The aims of this research were (1) a taxonomic investigation of Cambarus diogenes and its subspecies, (2) a morphometric analysis of population variation, and (3) a presentation of distribution patterns and ecology of the subspecies. Due to their burrowing habit, crawfish of this species are difficult to collect and no institution has a large series. Several major crawfish collections were examined. These included 1,206 preserved C. diogenes collected in many areas in the United States (Table I). Girard (1852) first described C. diogenes from Washington, D. C. Subsequently, the species was recorded in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming (Fig. 1). Williams and Leonard (1952) state that this range is one of the most extensive for any species of crawfish in the United States. Variations of the species have been reported. Faxon (1898) described male form II specimens from Belmond, Iowa, differing from typical C. diogenes in having a long rostrum with a narrower, more tapering acumen. Ortmann (1906), analyzing Pennsylvania specimens, described differences between eastern and western forms on areola obliteration, rostrum and acumen shape, tuberculations on the chelae, and the proportionality of the chelae measurements. Rhoades (1944), in an analysis of Kentucky specimens, claimed to have found differences in eastern and western forms based on the degree of areola obliteration. Both Ortmann (loc. cit.) and Rhoades believed these to be intergrades. Ortmann also stated that Tennessee specimens were intergrades. Faxon (1884) described a new variety (ludoviciana) from the New Orleans area based on the shape of the cephalothorax and rostrum. Since that time, C. d. ludovicianus has been reported also by Ortmann (1931) from Bolivar County, Mississippi, and Obion County, Tennessee. One of the basic differences between the subspecies, particularly in the juvenile forms, is the color pattern of C. d. ludovicianus, which is discussed in a later section under Color in the description of the crawfish. Ontogenetic variation has not been considered for this species and is discussed under the section Statistical Analysis. Ecology and life history are also discussed under their respective sections.

The Attached Young of the Crayfish Cambarus clarkii and Cambarus diogenes

The Attached Young of the Crayfish Cambarus clarkii and Cambarus diogenes

Synopses of North-American Invertebrates. VI. The Astacidae of North America

Previous articleNext article FreeSynopses of North-American Invertebrates. VI. The Astacidae of North AmericaW. P. HayW. P. Hay Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 33, Number 396Dec., 1899 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/277506 Views: 51Total views on this site Citations: 5Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Radu Cornel Guiaşu, Mark Labib The unreliable concept of native range as applied to the distribution of the rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) in North America, Hydrobiologia 848, no.66 (Feb 2021): 1177–1205.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-021-04523-yMael G Glon, Roger F Thoma, Christopher A Taylor, Marymegan Daly, John V Freudenstein Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the devil crayfish group, with elevation of Lacunicambarus Hobbs, 1969 to generic rank and a redescription of the devil crayfish, Lacunicambarus diogenes (Girard, 1852) comb. nov. (Decapoda: Astacoidea: Cambaridae), Journal of Crustacean Biology 38, no.55 (Aug 2018): 600–613.https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruy057Thomas P. Simon, Charles C. Morris Cambarus ( Lacunicambarus ) erythrodactylus , a new species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) of the Cambarus diogenes complex from Alabama and Mississippi, U.S.A., Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 127, no.44 (Jan 2015): 572–584.https://doi.org/10.2988/0006-324X-127.4.572Zachary Loughman, Thomas Simon Zoogeography, taxonomy, and conservation of West Virginia’s Ohio River floodplain crayfishes (Decapoda, Cambaridae), ZooKeys 74 (Jan 2011): 1–78.https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.74.808Roger F. Thoma, Raymond F. Jezerinac, Thomas P. Simon, Christopher B. Boyko Cambarus (Tubericambarus) polychromatus (Decapoda: Cambaridae), a new species of crayfish from the United States, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 118, no.22 (Jun 2005): 326–336.https://doi.org/10.2988/0006-324X(2005)118[326:CTPDCA]2.0.CO;2