Poster Details
A SURVEY OF CRAYFISHES OF UPPER APPOMATTOX RIVER BASIN IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Crayfish are virtually everywhere in the Southeastern United States, and represent the largest biomass in most aquatic systems. Although ubiquitous, diversity, ecology and life-history, of crayfish are poorly studied, particularly for Central Virginia. We surveyed headwaters of the Appomattox River basin to document the diversity, distribution and ecology of crayfish. We documented 7 crayfish species belonging to 3 genera (Cambarus sp. C, C. bartonii, C. diogenes, C. longulus, Procambarus acutus and Fallicambarus uhleri) including an invasive species (P. clarkii). Cambarus sp. C is a widely distributed generalist that occupies all stream habitats and represents the most abundant species. Cambarus longulus is a rocky bottom specialist, and C. diogenes and F. uhleri are primary burrowers. We also discovered 4 new populations of invasive P. clarkii from Prince Edward County, which are new Virginia state records. This exemplifies the diversity of crayfish in Central Virginia and shows the need for more detailed surveys to completely understand the diversity. State authorities will be able to use this information to update their records and implement more effective conservation management practices.
David Conner (Primary Presenter/Author), Longwood University, david.conner@live.longwood.edu;
Connor Perry ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Longwood University, connor.perry@live.longwood.edu;
Sujan Henkanaththegedara ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Longwood University, sujan040@gmail.com;