Surveys associated with this effort represent the first attempt to document GSMNP’s crayfish fauna. Site selection was nonrandom and determined primarily based on access availability. Crayfishes were collected by hand, seines, dipnets and while snorkeling. Animals encountered in the field were vouchered on site in 80% ethanol, identified in the laboratory, and housed on permanent loan from the National Park Service in West Liberty University’s Astacology Collection. Ten species were documented occurring in the park, of which he genus Cambarus dominates GSMNP’s fauna with eight species. Cambarus bartonii was the most widespread species, occurring in all watersheds in GSMNP. Cambarus (cf) bartonii, Cambarus robustus A, and Cambarus robustus B are all undescribed species with limited distributions in GSMNP. Cambarus tuckasegee is a North Carolina endemic that occurs in all major GSMNP tributaries in the Tuckasegee watershed. Two burrowing species, Cambarus acanthura and Cambarus carolinus were encountered in the in wetland environments. The genus Orconectes is represented by two species, Orconectes erichsonianus and Orconectes forceps. Both species are limited to low elevation, large mainstem systems. Cambarus asperimanus and Cambarus reburrus were recorded in previous GSMNP survey but not collected in this effort. At present GSMNP’s crayfishes appear to be stable.

Collectors List: CollectorList.pdf

Genera of Largest Family Graph: GenusCountAcGraph.pdf

Project Information: ProjectInfo.pdf

Samplings List: SamplingsList.pdf

Species by Month: CountsPerSpeciesByMonth.pdf

Species Ranking: SpeciesDistributionRanking.pdf

Species Report: Taxonomy.pdf

Specimen Count Per Year: SpeciesNumbersTracking.pdf

Upper Taxa List: UpperTaxa.pdf

Principal Investigator

PI Name:  Dr. Zachary Loughman

PI Organization:  West Liberty University

Primary Taxonomist

Taxonomist Name:  Dr. Zachary Loughman

Taxonomist Organization:  West Liberty University