Branchiobdellidans or crayfish worms are small leech-like annelids that live on the surface of crayfish. The worms eat algae and organisms that grow on the surface and help keep the crayfish healthy; they are not parasites. The Appalachian region has the highest concentration of branchiobdellidan species in the world. As crayfish worms have not been studied in the GSMNP, our knowledge of the actual diversity of the region remains incomplete.
Bronwyn Williams
The study will involve collection, and identification of branchiobdellidans from crayfish sampled at selected sites across the Park. From this information a species and distribution list will be constructed for the Park. Representative branchiobdellidans will be preserved and mounted on microscope slides as permanent preparations, and placed in the GSMNP repository for future reference. As surrounding areas change, it is vital to know what species are present in the protected park.
Collectors List: CollectorList.pdf
Species Ranking: SpeciesDistributionRanking.pdf
Species Report: Taxonomy.pdf
Upper Taxa List: UpperTaxa.pdf
Principal Investigator
PI Name: Dr. Stuart Gelder
PI Organization: University of Maine
Co-investigator #1
Co-PI Name: Bronwyn Williams
Co-PI Organization: University of Alberta
