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Groundwater chemistry and soils have limited influence on the habitat-scale distribution of Cambarus harti Hobbs
Gilmer JH and Keller TA 
Published Online: 12/31/2015
Abstract
Primary burrowing crayfish constitute 32% of crayfish considered imperiled, yet little is known about their autecology. To advance our knowledge about burrowing crayfish, groundwater chemistry and soils were assessed at sites containing the state-listed, endangered Cambarus harti Hobbs. Water chemistry was collected and analyzed every one to four weeks from January 2014 – August 2014 from wells (< 2 m deep) at four sites in Meriwether County (GA). Water samples were collected from wells near active burrows, wells without burrows, and burrows showing activity. To assess crayfish soil preferences, three soil cores were collected within ten meters of each well and dry sieved to determine percent sand and silt/clay. Water from wells (with/without crayfish) and burrows showed no differences in potassium, iron, manganese, and silica concentrations. Burrow water showed elevated chloride concentrations. Soils were sand-rich and contained only minor amounts of silt/clay. Soils differed slightly among sites but showed no difference between locations with and without burrows. Thus, bedrock and soils appear to be relatively homogeneous over the spatial scales studied. It is unclear if crayfish activity elevates chloride concentrations in burrows. These results corroborate previous research suggesting groundwater chemistry and soil texture are not the exclusive environmental factors controlling the distribution of primary burrowing crayfish.
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How to Cite
Gilmer JH and Keller TA. (2015). Groundwater chemistry and soils have limited influence on the habitat-scale distribution of Cambarus harti Hobbs. Freshwater Crayfish 21(1):43-50. doi: 10.5869/fc.2015.v21-1.43
Author Information
Jess H. Gilmer, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Columbus State University, 4225 University Ave, Columbus, Georgia, USA31907. E-mail: gilmer_jess@columbusstate.edu
Troy A. Keller,* Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Columbus State University, 4225 University Ave, Columbus, Georgia, USA31907. E-mail: keller_troy@columbusstate.edu
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 6/11/2015
Manuscript Accepted: 12/9/2015
Published Online: 12/31/2015
Published in Print: 12/31/2015
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.