Cambarus harti Hobbs 1981

Cambarus (Depressicambarus) harti

Cambarus sp.—Hart and Hart, 1974:21 (see “Georgia Specimens Examined”).

DIAGNOSIS.—Eyes small. Rostrum without marginal spines or tubercles and lacking median carina. Cervical spines reduced to small, rounded tubercles. Areola 17 to 46 times as long as broad, constituting 38.2 to 40.3 (average 39.4) percent of entire length of carapace (44.2 to 45.8, average 44.8, percent of postorbital carapace length), and never with more than 2 punctations in narrowest part. Suborbital angle usually obsolete, at most broadly obtuse. Postorbital ridge terminating cephalically without spine or tubercle. Antennal scale about 3 times as long as wide, widest at about midlength, mesial margin sloping strongly. Palm of chela with 5 to 7 tubercles in mesialmost row; opposable margin of fixed finger with row of 4 or 5 tubercles (see exception under “Variations”) in addition to distal one situated on lower level. Mesial ramus of uropod with premarginal distomedian spine and distolateral marginal spine. First pleopod of first form male with short, rather strongly arched central projection, its tip directed proximocaudally and flanked by adjacent subapical notch; mesial process inflated but with tapering, acute, upturned apical portion; caudal knob clearly evident. Color blue, prominent tubercles on chelipeds pinkish cream to white. Female with first pleopod present.

HOLOTYPIC MALE, FORM I.—Body subcylindrical (Figure 45a, l). Abdomen distinctly narrower than cephalothorax (8.9 and 12.1 mm); maximum width of carapace greater than depth at caudodorsal margin of cervical groove (12.1 and 9.8 mm, respectively). Areola 46 times as long as broad with 1 punctation in narrowest part; length 38.7 percent of total length of carapace (44.4 percent of postorbital carapace length). Rostrum with gently convergent thickened margins to base of anterior third, where turning more abruptly mesially along sides of rather large acumen, latter almost reaching distal end of penultimate podomere of antennular peduncle; dorsal surface of rostrum concave with few punctations other than usual submarginal row, those at level of posterior part of orbit forming transverse grooves. Subrostral ridges rather weak but evident in dorsal aspect to base of acumen. Postorbital ridges only moderately strong, truncate cephalically and swollen caudally. Suborbital angle broadly rounded, therefore obsolete; branchiostegal spine represented by rudimentary subangular prominence. Cervical tubercle only slightly larger than others nearby. Carapace punctate dorsally, granulate to tuberculate laterally. Abdomen shorter than carapace (20.4 and 23.8 mm), pleura rather short and rounded ventrally and caudoventrally (Figure 39d). Cephalic section of telson with 2 strong spines in each caudolateral corner. Proximal podomere of uropod with spine on each lobe; mesial ramus with submedian ridge terminating in short premarginal spine.

Cephalomedian lobe of epistome (Figure 45g) subrhomboidal with short cephalomedial projection and scalloped cephalolateral margins lacking distinct fovea; slitlike pits on cephalolateral margins of strongly arched epistomal zygoma rather inconspicuous. Ventral surface of proximal podomere of antennular peduncle with small acute spine near distal margin. Antennal peduncle without spines; flagellum reaching third abdominal tergum; antennal scale (Figure 45i) approximately 3 times as long as broad, widest at about midlength, mesial border injured but rather steeply inclined, distal spine reaching ultimate podomere of antennular peduncle. Ventral surface of ischium of third maxilliped with mesial half bearing irregular rows of long stiff setae and with submarginal lateral row of much smaller ones; distolateral angle subacute.

Left chela (Figure 45j) (right chela probably regenerated) 1.9 times as long as broad and mesial margin of palm occupying about one-third of its length. Mesial surface of palm with 2 well-defined rows of tubercles, mesialmost of 7 and adjacent one of 5; 2 additional much smaller tubercles present dorsolaterally, remainder of dorsal surface punctate, those punctations adjacent to strong lateral costa and on basal part of fixed finger larger and deeper than others; ventral surface of palm mostly punctate but with 2 prominent tubercles proximal to marginal thickening opposite base of dactyl and 2 low large ones on thickening. Both fingers of chela with well-defined submedian longitudinal ridges dorsally and ventrally; opposable margin of fixed finger with row of 4 tubercles, third from base much larger than others, and single large one on lower level at base of distal third of finger; single row of minute denticles extending from third tubercle to corneous tip of finger, row interrupted by fourth tubercle. Dactyl (strongly resembling that of members of Fallicambarus) with opposable margin bearing row of 7 tubercles, third from base much larger than others; row of minute denticles interspersed between third and more distal tubercles and continuing to corneous tip of finger; mesial surface of dactyl with cluster of tubercles proximally giving way to single row of deep setiferous punctations extending to corneous tip of finger.

Carpus of cheliped with dorsal surface bearing deep longitudinal groove and scattered punctations on both sides; mesial surface with large spikelike tubercle, similar smaller one proximally, and much smaller one dorsal to and between them; ventral surface with large median tubercle on distal margin and smaller one proximomesial to it. Merus with 2 prominent premarginal tubercles dorsally, ventrolateral row of 3 tubercles and ventromesial one of 9; podomere otherwise polished and/or punctate. Ventromesial margin of ischium with 1 small tubercle.

Ischium of third pereiopod with simple acute hook extending proximally over basioischial articulation (Figure 45h), not opposed by tubercle on basis. Coxa of fourth pereiopod with obliquely disposed low caudomesial boss; that of fifth pereiopod lacking boss but with ventral membrane bearing scattered setae.

First pleopod (Figure 45b,d,f) reaching coxa of third pereiopod. (See “Diagnosis” for description.)

ALLOTYPIC FEMALE.—Differing from holotype, other than in secondary sexual characters, as follows: areola only 20 times as long as broad with 2 punctations in narrowest part; dorsomesial surface of palm with several small tubercles lateral to 2 rows on mesial surface, ventral surface of left with only 1 tubercle on ridge at base of dactyl and single one proximal to ridge; right chela with only 3 tubercles on opposable margin of fixed finger, second from base largest; corresponding margin of dactyl with row of 6 tubercles; carpus of left cheliped with proximal tubercles on mesial surface very small; ventral surface of merus of right cheliped with 4 tubercles in lateral row and 9 in mesial, left with 4 and 8, respectively; ischium of cheliped lacking tubercles on mesial surface. (See “Measurements.”)

Annulus ventralis (Figure 45k) deeply embedded in sternum, capable of hingelike motion cephalic to midlength, subovate, broader than long, greatest width about 1.7 times length along median line; cephalomedian part less sclerotized than asymmetrical caudal and lateral parts, with broad caudally flaring trough (supporting dextrally curving low ridge) flanked by low, rounded ridges; caudodextral wall much inflated and rising ventrally above remainder of annulus just posterior to midlength; sinistrocaudal wall somewhat flattened and sloping gradually; sinus originating at caudodextral extremity of cephalomedian trough and, curving around dextrally directed tongue, proceeding gently sinistrocaudally slightly beyond median line before turning caudally in arc, and ending on midcaudal wall. Postannular plate strongly arched cephalically, approximately 2.2 times as broad as median length, and about three-fifths as wide as annulus. First pleopod reaching midlength of annulus when abdomen flexed.

MORPHOTYPIC MALE, FORM II.—Differing from holotype in following respects: rostrum reaching end of penultimate podomere of antennule; branchiostegal spine in form of minute tubercle; cephalic lobe of epistome with paired, slightly asymmetrically arranged, anterolateral prominences; antennal scale with anteromesial border less strongly inclined; mesial margin of palm of right chela with row of 5 tubercles, that of left with 6, more dorsally situated row consisting of 4 on both, several situated dorsolateral to rows; ventral surface of left chela with only 1 tubercle on thickening at base of dactyl, and both right and left with only 1 proximal to it; opposable margin of fixed finger with 5 tubercles on left chela; corresponding margin of dactyl with 6 tubercles on both; dorsomesial tubercle on carpus absent; ventrolateral row of setae on carpus reduced to 2 and ventromesial row to 8; mesial surface of ischium of cheliped devoid of tubercles, hook on ischium of third pereiopod represented by large, low tubercle, and boss on coxa of fourth considerably reduced. (See “Measurements.”)

First pleopod (Figure 45c,e) reaching third pereiopod when abdomen flexed; central projection contiguous with mesial process basally, both with acute tips, and disposed as in holotype; no trace of subapical notch on central projection; caudal knob not discernible.

COLOR NOTES (Figure 38b).—Carapace almost uniformly dark cobalt blue fading slightly ventrally to brighter blue; anteroventral margin from antennal region to cervical groove with narrow cream stripe. Abdomen also dark blue but with paired tan splotches dorsolaterally on third through sixth terga; all pleura pale bluish gray toward borders. Anterior section of telson dark blue basally, with paired sublateral dark blue stripes and similarly colored spots at caudolateral angles, otherwise light blue; uropods pale blue with keels and articulation between proximal and distal parts of lateral ramus darker blue. Antennular and antennal peduncles as well as flagella dark blue. Cheliped dark blue dorsally distal to ischium, major tubercles on merus and carpus white tipped; tubercles on ventral surface of palm at base of dactyl pink; those on opposable margins of fingers entirely white; finger tips and costa cream to pinkish cream. Third maxilliped and remaining pereiopods (distal to ischium) light blue. Ventral surface of body pinkish cream.

TYPES.—The holotypic male, form I, allotype, and morphotypic male, form II (numbers 148348, 148349, and 148350, respectively), are deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, together with the paratypes, comprising 1I, 1II, 8, 2j, and 1j.

Measurements (mm)

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Seepage and wooded area adjacent to the National Fish Hatchery at Warm Springs, Meriwether County, Georgia. There shrubs form the understory of a shaded habitat in which Cornus florida, Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer sp., and Quercus sp. are conspicuous elements of the flora. The crayfish were dug from complex burrows in a soil rich in humus matted with roots of trees and shrubs. (See “Ecological Notes.”)

RANGE.—Known from only two localities in the piedmont section of the Chattahoochee and Flint river basins in Meriwether County, Georgia.

GEORGIA SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—I have examined a total of 16 specimens from the following localities. Meriwether County: (1) burrows along trib of Flatshoal Creek, 7.2 mi E of Troup Co line on St Rte 109 and 0.9 mi S on unpaved road (Hart and Hart, 1974:21), 1II, 2, 1j, 20 Apr 1966, E. T. Hall, Jr., HHH, collectors; (2) type-locality, 1I, 1II, 2, 1j, 22 Apr 1977, C. E. Carter, J. H. Chandler, Jr., J. E. Pugh, HHH; 1I, 5, 1j, 2–10 May 1977, JHC.

VARIATIONS.—Among the many variations noted in the 16 available specimens of this crayfish are the following: The rostrum is occasionally so broad basally that the rather sudden convergence of the margins at the base of the acumen, described above, is far less pronounced. The suborbital angle, although usually obsolete, is sometimes broadly obtuse. The cephalic lobe of the epistome may have two pairs of subacute prominences, one pair situated posterolaterally and the other anterolaterally, and in some individuals only the latter pair is present. The caudolateral angle of the cephalic section of the telson rarely lacks the more mesial, movable spine. The proximal podomere of the antennule may or may not possess a spine distoventrally, or, if present, may be very small or rather conspicuous. The lamellar part of the antennal scale is often very irregular, marked by rather deep excisions, perhaps resulting from injury. Excluding variations in regenerated chelipeds, the mesial margin of the chela always has two prominent rows of tubercles, the more mesial one consisting of from five to seven, and the other of three to five; in addition, occasionally two other rows of five or six tubercles may be present lateral to the latter mentioned row; the ventral surface of the palm possesses one or two tubercles on the ridge abutting the base of the dactyl and one or two situated proximolateral to it or them; the opposable margin of the fixed finger bears a row of four or five tubercles (third from base largest) but in one of the larger females there are six, one situated distal to the large ventral tubercle; the opposable margin of the dactyl bears a row of five to seven tubercles, of which the third or fourth from base is largest; the proximomesial tubercle on the carpus ranges from well developed to vestigial and is occasionally absent; the ventrolateral row of tubercles on the merus varies from two to five and the ventromesial row from seven to 10; the mesial margin of the ischium may lack or possess one or two very small tubercles. The asymmetrical annulus may be entirely sclerotized and virtually inflexible, or the cephalomedian part may be more membranous and serve as a hinge for a slight deflection (dorsally) of the thickened caudal part. The asymmetry is sometimes reversed from that described for the allotype, and the tongue accordingly directed sinistrally. The surface of the postannular sclerite may be gently rounded or so strongly elevated (ventrally) as to appear tuberculiform.

SIZE.—The largest specimen available is a female, which has a carapace length of 33.2 (postorbital carapace length 29.2) mm. Corresponding lengths of the two first form males are 23.8 (20.7) and 24.4 (21.4) mm.

Cambarus (D.) harti

E Ankylocythere ancyla Crawford (1965:148): Meriwether (Hart and Hart, 1974:21)

Cambarus (D.) harti: 99

8. Cambarus (D.) latimanus: 5–8, 11, 16–18, 22, 26–31, 33, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 48, 51, 52, 55–62, 64, 66–75, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 85, 88, 90, 93, 95, 97, 99, 102, 104–110, 112, 114–118, 120, 121, 124, 126–128, 130, 131, 135, 141, 145–147, 149, 150, 154, 155, 157, 158

Cambarus (Depressicambarus) harti Hobbs

Cambarus (Depressicambarus) harti Hobbs, 1981:104, figs. 23e, 38b, 39d, 41, 45, 201.

TYPES.—Holotype, allotype, and morphotype, USNM 148348, 148349, 148350 (male I, female, male II); paratypes, USNM.

TYPE LOCALITY.—Seepage and wooded area adjacent to the National Fish Hatchery at Warm Springs, Meriwether County, Georgia.

RANGE.—Known from only two localities in the piedmont section of the Chattahoochee and Flint river basins in Meriwether County, Georgia.

HABITAT.—Burrows (primary burrower).

Cambarus harti, the Piedmont blue burrower, is a species of burrowing crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is endemic to Georgia in the United States. The common name refers to the Piedmont plateau region.

The IUCN conservation status of Cambarus harti is "EN", endangered. The species faces a high risk of extinction in the near future. The IUCN status was reviewed in 2010.