This group, here called the devil crayfish group (DCG) because it includes the devil crayfish (Cambarus diogenes Girard, 1852), has a confusing taxonomic his- tory and is in need of revision to inform conservation assessments. We took a step towards increasing the taxonomic resolution of Cambaridae by investigating a group of primary burrowing cray- fishes which were historically part of the Cambarus subgenera Lacunicambarus Hobbs, 1969 and Tubericambarus Jezerinac, 1993. The taxonomy of the family Cambaridae Hobbs, 1942 has historically been based on morphology, but recent studies using molecular phylogenetic techniques have revealed taxonomic inconsisten- cies, including a polyphyletic Cambarus Erichson, 1846. In Pennsylvania, Cambarus dubius has not expanded its range in comparison to its historical range, and populations appear to be concentrated primarily in the southern valleys of the Chestnut Ridge and Allegheny Mountains.Īs North American crayfish biodiversity becomes increasingly imperiled, the ambiguous nature of the current taxonomic framework can impede conservation efforts. Sites with burrowing crayfishes (all species) had significantly more canopy cover and deciduous forest land cover and significantly lower elevation, depth to the water table, percent sand substrate and pasture-hay land cover than sites without burrowing crayfish. dubius had significantly more canopy cover and deciduous forest land cover and significantly less pasture-hay land cover than sites without C. dubius juveniles were observed while collecting specimens with baited lines. Cambarus carinirostris was collected from 13 sites, Lacunicambarus thomai was collected from six sites, and an exuvia of Procambarus acutus was collected from a stream at one site. Cambarus dubius was collected from 61 total sites, and active crayfish burrows were observed at 137 additional sites. dubius and sites with and without any burrowing crayfish species. We utilised permutation-based t-tests to determine differences in habitat variables between sites with and without C. Crayfish were collected using a combination of burrow excavation, baited lines, and by hand. A total of 790 new sites and six previously surveyed sites were sampled between the Chestnut Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, with the majority of these localities being roadside ditches. A distributional study was conducted in south-western Pennsylvania to better understand the range and habitat associations of the primary burrowing crayfish Cambarus dubius within the state. Due to their burrowing lifestyles that make them difficult to sample, the distributions and habitat associations of most burrowing crayfishes are poorly understood.
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