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  3. Barbicambarus cornutus

Barbicambarus cornutus

Summary 2

Barbicambarus cornutus is a species of crayfish found only in the Barren River and Green River systems of Tennessee and Kentucky. It is one of the largest crayfish in North America, reaching lengths of up to 9 inches (230 mm), and its antennae are distinctive in being fringed. Although it was first described in 1884, it was not seen again until the 1960s. The species is sometimes called the bottlebrush crayfish.

Diagnostic description 3

Fringed antennae unique; first pleopod of male terminating in 2 elements, both bent at greater than 90 degrees to main axis of appendage (Hobbs, 1989).

Distribution 4

Global Range: (5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)) It is endemic to the upper Green River basin in Kentucky and Tennessee (Hobbs, 1989).

Habitat and ecology 5

Habitat and Ecology

This species is a tertiary burrower found in streams or riffles (Burr et al. 2004). This species is also commonly found under large boulders and in association with limestone or rubble, and along creek margins where there is current (Hobbs 1974, Rhoades 1944, Taylor and Schuster 2004). It is occasionally found in shallow riffles if there are large boulders present. This is the largest species of Cambaridae, reaching a maximum size of 135 mm.

Systems
  • Freshwater

Iucn red list assessment 6


Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2010

Assessor/s
Adams, S., Schuster, G.A. & Taylor, C.A.

Reviewer/s
Collen, B. & Richman, N.

Contributor/s
Livingston, F., Livingston, F., Soulsby, A.-M., Batchelor, A., Dyer, E., Whitton, F., Milligan, H.T., Smith, J., Lutz, M.L., De Silva, R., McGuinness, S., Kasthala, G., Jopling, B., Sullivan, K. & Cryer, G.

Justification
Barbicambarus cornutus has been assessed as Least Concern (LC). The species is fairly narrowly distributed , equating to an EOO of less than 20,000 km2,and is uncommon due to specific habitat requirements of large rocks. There is no evidence that it exists in the three large reservoirs which have been built in its range. These reservoirs have reduced available habitat to the species, however this occurred in the early 1970s when the dams were first built. The impact on the species has been to fragment the range, restricting gene flow between the three sub populations. While this could impact long term persistence, it is not likely to be causing declines over the short term. There is no reported reduction in population size and no other threats exist. In particular, invasion by aggressive non-native species from the Orconectes genus via bait release, is not likely to impact this species, most probably due to its alternative habitat preference and larger size.

Nature serve conservation status 7

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Reasons: The species is fairly narrowly distributed and uncommon due to specific habitat requirements of large rocks. There is no evidence that it exists in the three large resevoirs which have been built in its range. These resevoirs have reduced available habitat to the species, however this occurred in the early 1970s when the dams were first built. The impact on the species has been to fragment the range, restricting gene flow between the three sub populations. While this is could to impact long term persistence, it is not likely to be causing declines over the short term. Invasion by aggressive non-native species from the Orconectes genus via bait release, is not likely to impact this species, most probably due to its habitat differences and larger size.

Range description 8

This species is endemic to the upper Green River basin in Kentucky and Tennessee, USA (Hobbs 1989). In Kentucky it is found most commonly in the Batten River drainage, the mainstem of the middle section of the Green River, and in the Nolin Rover above Nolin Lake (Taylor and Schuster 2004).

The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of this species has been estimated to exceed 19,500 km2.

Reproduction 9

No life history or fecundity study in literature; based on typical pattern of geographic area, probably amplexus in fall, oviposition in early spring, young release in late spring/early summer. Matures probaly by late fall, with 2-3 breeding seasons/female.

Range description 8

This species is endemic to the upper Green River basin in Kentucky and Tennessee, USA (Hobbs 1989). In Kentucky it is found most commonly in the Batten River drainage, the mainstem of the middle section of the Green River, and in the Nolin Rover above Nolin Lake (Taylor and Schuster 2004).

The Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of this species has been estimated to exceed 19,500 km2.

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) rkkessler, all rights reserved
  2. Adapted by rkkessler from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbicambarus_cornutus
  3. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28865111
  4. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28865107
  5. (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/34324625
  6. (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/34324622
  7. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28865102
  8. (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/34324623
  9. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28865112

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