Cambarus veteranus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Guyandotte River crayfish | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Family: | Cambaridae |
| Genus: | Cambarus |
| Species: | C. veteranus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cambarus veteranus Faxon, 1914 | |
The Guyandotte River crayfish (Cambarus veteranus) 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 (C. callainus), 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[1] and was listed under the Endangered Species Act with the Big Sandy crayfish on April 4, 2016.[3]
Adult Guyandotte River crayfish are typically 75.7 to 101.6 millimetres (2.98 to 4.00 in) in length. Their shell covers range in colour from olive brown to light green with a blue cervical groove ranging in shade from light blue to aqua. Their walking legs are blue with chelae ranging in colour from light blue to a blue green. Some ways to differentiate the Guyandotte River crayfish from the Big Sandy crayfish include the narrower rostrum and claw set of the Big Sandy crayfish. Guyandotte River crayfish also have a lateral impression at the bottom of the stationary claw.[4]
Life history
Limited research has been done on the life history of the Guyandotte River crayfish. The following information on the life history of the Guyandotte River crayfish has largely been extrapolated from findings on the life history of the Big Sandy crayfish due to their extensive similarities.[4]
The Guyandotte River crayfish reaches full maturation in its third year following 2 to 3 years of growth.[4] The crayfish then reproduce for the first time during the "midsummer of the third or fourth year." The Guyandotte River crayfish are an egg-laying species.[4] After their first time reproducing, they continue to mate annually until their death. Eggs are typically laid in the late summer or fall, and then hatch in the spring.[4] Moulting then occurs in the late spring and early summer. The average lifespan of Guyandotte River crayfish "is thought to be 5 to 7 years, with the possibility of some individuals reaching 10 years of age."[4]
Ecology
Diet
The Guyandotte River crayfish can be described as opportunistic omnivores, meaning they will eat both plant materials and animal tissues, depending on accessibility.[4] Research indicates that these crayfish typically prefer animal tissue over the plant material.[3] According to C. veteranus researcher Dr. Zac Loughman, crayfish "help move energy up the food chain" by consuming "dead leaves, dead fish and other live and dead organisms."[5]