Abstract

The life history and ecology of the crayfish Orconectes palmeri palmeri were studied in the Chickasaw Basin of western Tennessee. Prior to oviposition in February and March, females inhabited shallow burrows, especially within and around heavy debris. Juveniles appeared in open-water samples in April, and most specimens reached adult size (carapace length 18-25 mm) by late September and October of the same year. In November, 85% of all males were form I, and females had active cement glands; most form I males molted to form II during June. Frequency distribution graphs of population samples indicated that three adult age classes existed in open water during most of the year; these were: first year (18-25 mm), second year (26-35 mm), and third year (36-42 mm). The majority of reproduction occurred in the first year individuals with few specimens living longer than two years. Life history strategies and adaptations which minimize interspecific competition and interaction are discussed.

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