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The endangered Caney Mountain cave crayfish: A preliminary study of its habitat with brief life history notes

Emila A. Ellingsworth·R.J. DiStefano·Jacob Thomas Westhoff·B.M. O'Brian
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Abstract

The stygobitic Caney Mountain cave crayfish, Orconectes stygocaneyi , is among the rarest crayfish species in North America. It is known only from Mud Cave, a small linear cave on the 3,200 ha Caney Mountain Conservation Area in Ozark County, Missouri. The species is listed as “Endangered” by the state of Missouri, and “Threatened” by the American Fisheries Society. Previous studies documented its population range and limited life history notes; but little is known about Mud Cave’s habitat. We conducted a one-year study to document the cave’s water chemistry, quality, and interior wetted pool volume, and how this habitat varies monthly, to establish a baseline for future study.

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Freshwater CrayfishArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 36.625266091515115° to 36.66449702263134° latitude; -92.45151688083625° to -92.40079722946713° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeXRIS

Emila A. Ellingsworth, R.J. DiStefano, Jacob Thomas Westhoff, B.M. O'Brian. 2024-12-31. The endangered Caney Mountain cave crayfish: A preliminary study of its habitat with brief life history notes. https://doi.org/10.5869/fc.2024.v29-1.121

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