Abstract

Factors which influence or determine the distribution of various taxa of crayfishes are of special interest to workers in a number of disciplines, especially ecologists interested in species transplantations and aquaculturists establishing productive 'crops'. Within the past two decades, numerous laboratory and field studies of the physiological and environmental requirements of crayfishes have increased our understanding of distribution patterns by relating specific features such as nutrient values of water, substrate types, photoperiod, and reproductive behaviour to this subject. Studies of life histories, aggressive species interactions, and resource competition have also provided new insights into crayfish distribution. A number of topics such as pheromones, r and K selection, and community energetics have been subjects of investigation. This paper reviews studies of selected factors which may significantly influence distribution patterns both within localized habitats as well as across broader ranges. In addition, data concerning habitat arrangements of three species within a small stream in western Tennessee and four species within a mountainous stream in northern Arkansas are presented, with emphasis placed on life history phenomena as isolating mechanisms which avoid extreme resource competition.

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