Abstract

The natural area of distribution of the crayfish Procambarus spp. is the eastward flowing Moctezuma-Pánuco river system in Querétaro (Central México). Despite the biological, economic and taxonomic importance of this genus, its ecological requirements and systematic are not yet effectively resolved. Populations of Procambarus spp. are stressed by high levels of organic and chemist contamination and by habitat fragmentation, especially in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. Ten populations of Procambarus spp. Subgenus Ortmannicus from fragmented habitats of different levels of contamination were studied in the region of Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. The main objective of the study was to gather information concerning the systematic of the Procambarus (Ortmannicus) spp. that are inhabiting this protected area, by the use of phenotypic features and simple molecular analyses (RAPD markers), and hence, to propose conservation plans of the populations. Specimens collected from Rioverdito, La Yerbabuena and Agua Zarca showed a mixture of P. toltecae and Procambarus spp. morphological characteristics. Whereas RAPD analysis of individuals from Bucareli showed similar band patterns that P. toltecae from Palitla. At least one population belonging to the Procambarus genus from Querétaro probably is new species for Science. To know the taxonomic status of crayfish populations from this region is of great importance to elaborate conservation plans of these populations.

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