Cambarus aculabrum

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Cambarus aculabrum
Cambarus aculabrum.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Family: Cambaridae
Genus: Cambarus
Species:
C. aculabrum
Binomial name
Cambarus aculabrum
Hobbs & Brown, 1987

Cambarus aculabrum is a rare species of cave-dwelling crayfish known by the common name Benton county cave crayfish. [4] [5] It is native to Arkansas in the United States, where it is known from only four locations. [5] It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. [2] [3]

Contents

Taxonomy and naming

This crayfish was first described to science as a new species in 1987. [3] There has been little formal study of this species due to its rarity. [5]

It has been postulated that the four subterranean crayfish species inhabiting the Ozarks, including Cambarus aculabrum, derive from a common epigean ancestor species that gained access to a historic cave channel in the Ozark Plateau. [6]

Description

It is about 48 millimeters (1.8 inches) long. As a stygobite it is adapted to groundwater environments; [5] it lacks pigment, making it white in color, and has only rudimentary eyes. [4] The body and claws bear numerous stiff hairs, while the rostrum is crested with small spines. [6]

Distribution and habitat

The crayfish has been found living in three limestone solutional [6] caves in the karst landscape of northern Arkansas; Bear Hollow Cave, Logan Cave and Old Pendergrass Cave in Benton County. Additionally, one specimen was found in a pool in Brush Creek in Washington County, having been flushed from the hyporheic zone by flooding. It is not considered an Arkansas endemic species because 58% of one of the Bear Hollow cave recharge zones lies within the neighboring state of Missouri, although it has not yet been found in that state. [5]

It can be found in all pool and stream habitats within the caves, but is commonly found along the edge of the water. Cave entrances are avoided due to the risk of predation by surface species. Clean, clear and well oxygenated water is required. Water temperatures in the cave generally remain stable at around 57 degrees F. [4] Because of the rapid recharge rates of the cave systems, stream velocity and volume can increase dramatically. During these floods events crayfish can be washed out of the cave systems, exposing them to predation. Several individuals have been found in surface waters downstream of the caves. Because the species is adapted to subterranean environments, it is assumed that it cannot survive outside of the caves. [5]

Additional populations of stygobitic crayfish have been identified near the four known locations. Stygobitic crayfish have been observed in Rootville Cave and in a cistern on Spanker Creek in Benton County. They were identified as belonging to the genus Cambarus, but a species determination was not made. The crayfish in the Spanker Creek cistern were killed by the landowner in order to avoid regulation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 before they could be identified. [5]

Diet and feeding

Nutrient levels in the cave water are low, and because of this crayfish feeds on detritus washed into the cave from the surface, and on algae, fungus, and other organisms associated with deposits of bat guano. [3] [4]

Natural history

Like other stygobitic crayfish species, the Benton county cave crayfish has an increased lifespan (up to 75 years) and low reproductive and metabolic rates. [4] Little else is known about its ecology. [5]

It has been eaten by the banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae) on at least one occasion. [5]

Conservation status

As of 2006, the estimated total population of Benton county cave crayfish was less than 200 individuals. Due to its rarity and extremely restricted range, it was listed as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1993 and by the IUCN in 2004. A recovery plan was created by the USFWS in 1996. [5]

A number of threats to the survival of this species have been identified. Habitat degradation due to groundwater pollution from residential septic systems and concentrated animal feeding operations has been identified as the main threat. Additional threats include trampling by trespassers and explorers in the caves, low reproductive rate, specimen collection, predation, and flooding. [5]

A number of measures have been taken to reduce threats to this species. Gates have been erected at the entrance of Bear Hollow and Logan caves to prevent trampling, but due to vandalism this threat remains. A fixed rope line was installed on the wall of Bear Hollow Cave to prevent trampling during official population counts. Additionally, scientific collection of specimens has ceased, with none taking place since the 1980s. Severe penalties under the ESA discourage amateur collection. The primary conservation measure taken to protect this species has been land acquisition and protection. The 46.9 hectare Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge was created by the USFWS around the entrances to Logan Cave. The Bear Hollow Natural Area and Camden Hollow Natural Area containing the entrances to Bear Hollow Cave and Old Pendergrass cave, respectively, were established by The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy has also established efforts to upgrade septic systems and reforest areas within the cave recharge zones. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cambarus</i> Genus of crayfishes

Cambarus is a large and diverse genus of crayfish from the United States and Canada. The adults range in size from about 5 cm (2.0 in) up to approximately 15 cm (5.9 in).

<i>Procambarus alleni</i> Species of crustacean

The Everglades crayfish, sometimes called the Florida crayfish, the blue crayfish, the electric blue crayfish, or the sapphire crayfish, is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Florida in the United States. Its natural range is the area east of St. Johns River and all of Florida from Levy County and Marion County southwards, as well as on some of the Florida Keys. It is included on the IUCN Red List as a species of Least Concern. The blue crayfish is frequently kept in a freshwater aquaria. In the wild, this species varies from brown-tan to blue, but an aquarium strain has been selectively bred to achieve a brilliant cobalt blue color.

Cambarus hiwasseensis, the Hiwassee crayfish, is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is found in North America.

Cambarus subterraneus, the Delaware County cave crayfish, is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It has been found only in three caves in Delaware County, Oklahoma.

Cambarus tartarus, the Oklahoma cave crayfish, is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is endemic to two caves in Delaware County, Oklahoma in the United States.

<i>Cambarus unestami</i> Species of crayfish

Cambarus unestami, the blackbarred crayfish, is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is native to Alabama and Georgia in the United States.

The Guyandotte River crayfish is a species of crayfish found in a small stream system in Wyoming County, West Virginia, US. They are closely related to the Big Sandy crayfish, and until recently, the two were thought to belong to the same species. The Guyandotte River crayfish is currently listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN and was listed under the Endangered Species Act with the Big Sandy crayfish on April 4, 2016.

<i>Cambarus zophonastes</i> Species of crayfish

Cambarus zophonastes, also known as the Hell Creek Cave crayfish, is named for its original location of discovery, Hell Creek Cave. It is also found in other similar habitats in Stone County and Marion County, Arkansas. These habitats include springs and caves such as Nesbitt Spring Cave in Stone County. C. zophanastes is critically endangered according to the IUCN. C. zophanastes is also protected by the ESA as an endangered species. Currently conservation efforts focus on monitoring populations, reducing disturbances, and monitoring water quality. More research has to be conducted to better understand and conserve the species.

<i>Procambarus</i> Genus of crayfishes

Procambarus is a genus of crayfish in the family Cambaridae, all native to North and Central America. It includes a number of troglobitic species, and the marbled crayfish (marmorkrebs), which is parthenogenetic. Originally described as a subgenus for four species, it now contains around 161 species.

Procambarus milleri, the Miami cave crayfish is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is endemic to Florida, where it is known from 14–15 sites in Dade County, Florida, and is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.

Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge in Benton County, Arkansas became the 455th National Wildlife Refuge on March 14, 1989, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This 123-acre (0.50 km2) Ozark Mountain refuge, which includes a limestone-solution cave, is located 20 miles (32 km) west of Fayetteville, Arkansas and approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) north of U.S. Route 412.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Sandy crayfish</span> Species of crayfish

The Big Sandy crayfish, Cambarus callainus, are freshwater crustaceans of the family Cambaridae. They are found in the streams and rivers of Appalachia in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky, in what is known as the Big Sandy watershed. Populations are often mistaken with Cambarus veteranus, but morphological and genetic data suggest that these are separate taxa; however, both are protected under the Endangered Species Act. There is very little information available on the Big Sandy crayfish because it is a relatively new species.

<i>Faxonius immunis</i> Species of crayfish

Faxonius immunis is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is native to North America and it is an introduced species in Europe, where it lives along the Upper Rhine. Its common names include calico crayfish and papershell crayfish.

Faxonius maletae, sometimes called the Kisatchie painted crayfish or Kisatchie painted crawfish, is a species of crawdad in the Cambaridae family. The specific epithet maletae is in honor of the discoverer's wife, author Maleta M. Walls, who helped collect many of the original specimens. It was originally described as a subspecies of Orconectes difficilis, but later elevated to full species status. The common name refers to the Kisatchie National Forest, near where the original specimens were found in Bayou Santabarb.

Cambarus hubrichti is a species of decapoda in the family Cambaridae. The species goes by the common name Salem cave crayfish.

<i>Cambarus monongalensis</i> Species of crayfish

Cambarus monongalensis, the blue crayfish or Monongahela crayfish, is a species of burrowing crayfish native to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It has also been found recently in Ohio. The common name refers to the Monongahela River, with the first specimens being collected from Edgewood Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It is included on the IUCN Red List as a species of Least Concern.

<i>Orconectes sheltae</i> Species of crayfish

Orconectes sheltae, the Shelta Cave crayfish, is a small, freshwater crayfish endemic to Alabama in the United States. It is a cave-dwelling species known from only one cave, Shelta Cave in Madison County, Alabama. This cave is also home to O. australis and Cambarus jonesi.

Cambarus gentryi, the linear cobalt crayfish, is a small burrowing species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae, notable for its blue carapace. It is endemic to Tennessee in the United States.

References

  1. ↑ Cordeiro, J.; Jones, T.; DiStefano, R.; Thoma, R.F. (2010). "Cambarus aculabrum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T3688A10018152. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T3688A10018152.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Benton County cave crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Paul D. Hartfield; USFWS (27 April 1993). "Endangered status determined for the cave crayfish Cambarus aculabrum". Federal Register. 58 (79): 25742–25746. 58 FR 25742
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Cambarus aculabrum. Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine National Biological Information Infrastructure.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 G. O. Graening; Michael E. Slay; Arthur V. Brown; Jeffrey B. Koppelman (2006). "Status and distribution of the endangered Benton cave crayfish, Cambarus aculabrum (Decapoda: Cambaridae)" (PDF). The Southwestern Naturalist . 51 (3): 376–439. doi:10.1894/0038-4909(2006)51[376:SADOTE]2.0.CO;2. JSTOR   20424733. S2CID   86756024.
  6. 1 2 3 Hobbs, Horton H.; Brown, Arthur V. (1987). "A New Troglobitic Crayfish From Northwestern Arkansas (Decapoda: Cambaridae)" (PDF). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 100 (4): 1040–1048. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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