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Epigean Crayfish of the Potomac River Basin in West Virginia: Zoogeography, Natural History and Conservation
Loughman ZJ, Sykes AM, McKinney MI and Welsh SA 
Published Online: 4/15/2021
Abstract
Crayfish are an aquatic fauna of conservation concern, yet regional studies are lacking on zoogeography and life history. We compared recent and historical species distribution data and assessed conservation standings of native and nonindigenous crayfish of the Potomac River Basin in West Virginia. From 2007–2011, a total of 1764 crayfish were collected from 159 sites. Data collection included species abundance, morphometrics, and life history parameters. Percentages of the number of individuals of each species of the total catch were 36.3% (Cambarus bartonii), 34.6% (Faxonius obscurus), 23.4% (Faxonius virilis), 3.6% (Procambarus cf. zonangulus) and 2.0% (Cambarus carinirostris). Cambarus bartonii was present throughout the drainage, F. obscurus was collected primarily from the North Branch, South Branch, and Cacapon river watersheds, and C. carinirostris was only collected in the South Branch watershed. Two nonnative species, F. virilis and P. cf. zonangulus, were only present in tributaries downstream of the Cacapon River watershed. Spinycheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus) were not collected during our survey, which suggests its possible extirpation from the West Virginia portion of its range. Our zoogeographic and life history data could serve as a baseline for future conservation-oriented monitoring efforts of the Potomac River watershed.
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How to Cite
Loughman ZJ, Sykes AM, McKinney MI and Welsh SA. (2021). Epigean Crayfish of the Potomac River Basin in West Virginia: Zoogeography, Natural History and Conservation. Freshwater Crayfish 26(1):37-49. doi: 10.5869/fc.2021.v26-1.37
Author Information
Zachary J. Loughman,* , West Liberty University, CSC Box 139, West Liberty University,West Liberty, WV, United States26003. E-mail: zloughman@westliberty.edu
Audrey L. Sykes, , West Liberty University, CSC Box 139, West Liberty University,West Liberty, WV, United States26003. E-mail: zloughman@westliberty.edu
Matthew I. McKinney, , West Liberty University, CSC Box 139, West Liberty University,West Liberty, WV, United States26003. E-mail: zloughman@westliberty.edu
Stuart A. Welsh, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, United States Geological Survey, Percival Hall, Morgantown , WV, USA26506. E-mail: swelsh@wvu.edu
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 8/9/2018
Manuscript Accepted: 3/22/2021
Published Online: 4/15/2021
Published in Print: 4/15/2021
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.