Cambarus aculabrum - Earth.com
doc4814.jpg
12-22-2016

Cambarus aculabrum

Cambarus aculabrum NatureServe Explorer Species Reports — NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports — Cambarus aculabrum ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.

Cambarus aculabrum is a rare species of crayfish known by the common name Benton cave crayfish. It is native to Arkansas in the United States, where it is known from only four locations. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

This crayfish was first described to science as a new species in 1987. It is about 48 millimeters (1.8 inches) long. A troglobite, it lacks pigment, making it white in color, it and has only rudimentary eyes. It is genetically distinct from other species of cave crayfish.

The crayfish lives at four caves in northern Arkansas, three in Benton County and one in Washington County. It is not considered an Arkansas endemic species because 58% of one of the Benton County cave zones is actually within the neighboring state of Missouri although it has not yet been found in Missouri.

This crayfish feeds on organic matter washed into the cave from the surface, and on bat guano. It is sometimes eaten by the banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Little else is known about its ecology

Threats to this species include direct mortality when they are trampled by cave explorers and trespassers. Gates have been put in place at the caves to protect them but vandalism is still a threat. Pollution of the groundwater in the caves was the main reason the animal was federally listed. Individuals are sometimes washed out of caves during floods, leading to mortality.

Detailed information
Full Name: Cave crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum)
Where found: Wherever found
Critical Habitat:N/A
Species Group:Crustaceans
Current listing status
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
Endangered 04/27/1993 Southeast Region (Region 4) Wherever found
  • States/US Territories in which the Cave crayfish, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: Arkansas , Missouri
  • US Counties in which the Cave crayfish, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: View All
  • USFWS Refuges in which the Cave crayfish, Wherever found is known to occur: Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
  • Countries in which the the Cave crayfish, Wherever found is known to occur: United States
Recovery
No critical habitat rules have been published for the Cave crayfish.
Date
Title
Plan Action Status
Plan Status
10/30/1996 Cave Crayfish/Cambaras aculabrum (NCN) View Implementation Progress Final
Date
Title
Plan Action Status
Plan Status
10/30/1996 Cave Crayfish/Cambaras aculabrum (NCN) View Implementation Progress Final
Date
Citation Page
Title
Document Type
07/29/2008 73 FR 43947 43948 5-Year Status Review of 20 Southeastern Species
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
Date
Title
05/10/2013 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation for Benton County Cave Crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum)
News coming your way
The biggest news about our planet delivered to you each day