Cambarus parrishi Hobbs 1981

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) parrishi

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp.—Bouchard and Hobbs, 1976: 13 [in part].

DIAGNOSIS.—Body pigmented, eyes well developed. Rostrum with margins little thickened and bearing minute to moderately large marginal tubercles. Areola 2.8 to 4.2 times as long as wide and comprising 32.1 to 34.8 percent of entire length of carapace (38.9 to 43.3 percent of postorbital carapace length). One to 5 small cervical tubercles present, cervical spines lacking. Suborbital angle acute. Postorbital ridges terminating cephalically in acute to subacute tubercles. Antennal scale approximately 2.4 times as long as broad, broadest near midlength. Chela with 1 or 2 rows of tubercles on mesial margin of palm, mesialmost row consisting of 7 to 10; lateral margin of palm costate and both fingers with well-defined longitudinal ridges dorsally. Basis of third pereiopod with tubercle opposing hook on ischium. First pleopod of first form male with rather short terminal elements: corneous central projection not tapering distally, recurved at approximately 130 degrees to main shaft of appendage, and bearing distinct subapical notch; mesial process somewhat inflated, acute, and extending caudolaterally slightly beyond tip of central projection at angle of 90 to 115 degrees to main shaft. Female with annulus ventralis shallowly embedded in sternum and only slightly asymmetrical in outline; first pleopod present. Carapace and abdomen mottled, latter with longitudinal series of dark dorsolateral splotches and more prominent series on pleura.

HOLOTYPIC MALE, FORM I.—Body subovate, depressed (Figure 99a,j). Abdomen narrower than thorax (14.6 and 17.7 mm); maximum width of carapace greater than depth at caudodorsal margin of cervical groove (17.7 and 13.3 mm). Areola 3.2 times as long as wide, densely punctate, with 8 punctations across narrowest part. Cephalic section of carapace 2 times as long as areola, length of areola 33.3 percent of entire length of carapace (39.7 percent of postorbital carapace length). Rostrum with slightly thickened convergent margins, interrupted by small corneous marginal tubercles at base of acumen; acumen with corneous upturned tip reaching almost to distal margin of penultimate segment of antennule; dorsal surface of rostrum concave, with setiferous punctations submarginally and in basal half; subrostral ridges moderately well developed and evident in dorsal aspect almost to marginal tubercles. Postorbital ridge short but well defined with dorsolateral groove bearing setiferous punctations and terminating cephalically in subacute corneous tubercle. Suborbital angle acute. Branchiostegal spine small with acute corneous tip. Upper surface of carapace punctate, sparsely so in gastric region; lateral surfaces weakly granulate, tubercles somewhat larger in hepatic region and cephaloventrally, with well-defined row ventral to cephalic portion of cervical groove. Cervical spine represented by group of small tubercles, none larger than those ventral to cephalic portion of cervical groove. Abdomen longer than carapace (35.0 and 33.0 mm); pleura subtruncate ventrally, angular caudoventrally. Cephalic section of telson with 2 spines in each caudolateral corner. Proximal podomere of uropod with moderately strong spine on mesial and lateral lobes; mesial ramus with moderately well developed keel on dorsal surface produced in short premarginal spine, spine on distolateral margin no larger than that on keel.

Cephalomedian lobe of epistome (Figure 99i) subtriangular, about 1.6 times as broad as long, with very small cephalomedian projection, its margins slightly elevated and thickened, central portion subplane and studded with setiferous punctations; fovea moderately well defined with depressions radiating cephalically to base of cephalomedian lobe. Antennule with strong spine on distal half of ventral surface of basal segment. Antenna, reaching cephalic margin of telson, with spine on distolateral margin of basis and acute tubercle on ischium. Antennal scale (Figure 99g) 2.4 times as long as broad, broadest at midlength, evenly rounded mesially; lamellar area about 1.2 times width of thickened lateral portion, latter terminating in strong spine. Third maxilliped moderately setose, with lateral half of ventral surface of ischium bearing submarginal row of short setae and few scattered ones but devoid of stiff setae.

Left chela (Figure 99l, mirror image) somewhat depressed although with palm inflated; lateral margin of palm costate, more strongly so distally. Mesial surface of palm with 2 rows of low tubercles, mesialmost row of 8, other of 7; 4 tubercles irregularly arranged between rows; remainder of palm punctate. Both fingers with well-defined longitudinal ridges dorsally, flanked by shallow setiferous punctations. Opposable margin of fixed finger with row of 6 tubercles, third from base largest; proximal 5 somewhat evenly spaced along proximal half of finger, sixth at base of distal fourth; prominent subacute tubercle situated at lower level midway between 2 distal tubercles of above-mentioned row; crowded minute denticles extending from level of third tubercle to base of corneous tip of finger; lateral margin of finger costate; lower surface punctate, with cluster at proximomesial base bearing short plumose setae. Opposable margin of dactyl with row of 10 rounded tubercles along proximal three-fifths, fourth from base largest, and crowded minute denticles from fifth tubercle to base of corneous tip of finger; mesial surface with row of 4 squamous tubercles basally; finger otherwise punctate.

Carpus of left cheliped longer than broad and with prominent oblique furrow dorsally; mesial surface with conspicuous spikelike tubercle slightly distal to midlength and small one proximal to it; lower distal margin with 2 prominent corneous-tipped tubercles and small one proximomesial to mesial tubercle; podomere otherwise punctate. Merus with 2 acute tubercles dorsally near distal end; laterodistal condyle with small corneous-tipped tubercle; ventral surface with row of 3 acute tubercles and mesial row of 11; lateral and mesial surfaces punctate. Mesial surface of ischium with row of 4 small tubercles and more massive proximal knoblike one.

Hook on ischium of third pereiopod only (Figure 99h); hook simple, opposed by tubercle on basis, and extending proximally to distal end of latter; coxa of fourth pereiopod with oblique, vertically disposed caudomesial boss; coxa of fifth pereiopod with rudimentary elevated prominence ventrolateral to penis papilla.

Sternum between third, fourth, and fifth pereiopods moderately shallow and with comparatively short tufts of plumose setae extending ventromesially from margins of sternum; coxae of third and fourth pereiopods without plumose setae.

First pleopods (Figure 99b,d,f) symmetrical and reaching coxae of third pereiopods when abdomen flexed. (See “Diagnosis” for description.)

ALLOTYPIC FEMALE.—Other than in secondary sexual characters, differing from holotype in following respects: acumen reaching midlength of ultimate podomere of antennule; subrostral ridges evident in dorsal aspect for only slight distance beyond caudal margin of orbit; 1 member of group of cervical tubercles slightly larger than others; mesial surface of palm of chela with 10 tubercles in mesialmost row and 8 in adjacent one, none between; opposable margin of fixed finger of chela with row of 8 tubercles; mesial surface of ischium with row of only 3. (See “Measurements.”)

Annulus ventralis (Figure 99k) subsymmetrical in outline, shallowly embedded in sternum and, although fused to latter, slightly movable; cephalic region less strongly calcified than caudal; cephalic half with narrow median longitudinal trough flanked by subparallel rounded ridges; caudal portion of trough curving dextrally to near midlength of annulus; caudal wall somewhat elevated; sinus originating at caudal end of trough, forming dextrally tilted sigmoid curve, its caudal extremity reaching midcaudal margin of annulus; dextrally directed tongue disappearing into fossa under elevated dextral wall. Postannular sclerite between fifth pereiopods planoconvex in outline, with transverse elevation. First pleopod almost reaching midlength of annulus when abdomen flexed.

MORPHOTYPIC MALE, FORM II.—Differing from holotype in following respects: areola with 7 punctations across narrowest part; acumen as in allotype; cheliped with ventromesial row of 10 tubercles on merus, ischium as in allotype; hook on ischium of third pereiopod reduced, not reaching distal end of corresponding basis; boss on caudomesial angle of coxa of fourth pereiopod much reduced; sternum between third, fourth, and fifth pereiopods without plumose setae. (See “Measurements.”)

First pleopod (Figure 99c,e) with central projection inflated, not so strongly recurved as in holotype and with distinct subterminal notch; mesial process bulbiform, directed caudolaterally at approximately 90 degrees to main shaft of appendage; juvenile suture on shaft prominent.

COLOR NOTES (Figure 89e).—Ground color of carapace olive brown with light greenish tan spots and reticulations dorsally, and few scattered spots laterally. Terga of abdominal segments olive green suffused with brown and bearing pale greenish cream spots, some symmetrically arranged; each of first 5 terga with paired cephalolateral black spots, those on first and second segments somewhat broader than more caudal ones. Pleuron of first segment conspicuous because of its pale pinkish cream color. Pleura of second through sixth segments with dark, almost black, ventrally convex arc across base, and with pale greenish to pinkish cream band along cephalic and ventral margin, otherwise coloration as on tergum. Telson mostly dark brown; uropods with distinct greenish suffusion. Cheliped cream tan from base to end of proximal third of merus, there becoming gradually darker, except ventrally, and distal third and remaining podomeres very dark brown in first form males and olive brown in adult females; lateral margin, ventral surface, and prominent tubercles on chela (especially those on opposable margin of fingers) pinkish to orange cream. Remaining pereiopods pale basally, becoming dark on merus (dark olive brown on carpus and distal part of merus), and fading distally to olive or bluish olive on propodus and dactyl.

Measurements (mm)

TYPES.—The holotypic male, form I, the allotypic female, and morphotypic male, form II, are deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, numbers 144957, 144958, and 144959, respectively, as are the following paratypes: 27I, 21II, 39, 3j, 9j, and 2 ovigerous . Specimens from Clay County, North Carolina, are excluded from the type series.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hiwassee River, 2 miles north of the junction of Georgia Routes 17 and 66 on Route 17, approximately 7 miles southeast of Hiwassee. There, the very swift, clear water flows over a bed, some 10 meters wide and one-half to a meter deep, consisting of sand and rocks. Trees in the area include Platanus occidentalis, Juglans nigra, Cornus florida, Quercus sp., and Carya sp.

RANGE.—Restricted to the headwaters of the Hiwassee River in Towns County, Georgia, and Clay County, North Carolina.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—I have examined a total of 143 specimens (122 from Georgia and 21 from North Carolina) from the following localities. GEORGIA. Towns County: (1)type-locality, 1I, 1II, 1, 2 ovig , 27 Apr 1967, T. Unestam, HHH, collectors; 7I, 11II, 13, 9 Oct 1969, K. R. Martin, HHH; (2) Soapstone Creek 1.2 mi E of jct of St Rtes 180 and 66 on latter, 1, 6 Nov 1958, K. W. Simonds; 4I, 2II, 5, 9 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; (3) Soapstone Creek close to YMCA Camp Pioneer on St Rte 66, 4 mi upstream from jct with Hiwassee River, 2I, 1II, 3, 22 Nov 1968, F. K. Parrish; 1I, 1II, 3 May 1969, FKP; 5I, 2II, 6, Aug 1969, FKP, 5I, 2II, 5, 9 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; (4) Hiwassee River and mouth of Soapstone Creek at jct of St Rtes 75 and 66, 1I, 1II, 2, 20 Aug 1952, G. B. Hobbs, HHH; 1, 24 Apr 1954, D. C. Scott; 1I, 1j, 1j, 6 Nov 1958, KWS; 4I, 1, 27 Apr 1967, TU, HHH; 2II, 3II, 4, 2j, 8j, 9 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; 2II, 3, 1j, 24 Oct 1976, T. A. English, Jr., HHH; (5) Center Creek (? = Cynth Creek), 3, 13 Aug 1943, DCS. NORTH CAROLINA. Clay County: (6) Shooting Creek on US Hwy 64, 1I, 10 Jan 1960, KWS; (7) creek 4.3 mi N of Hayesville on unnumbered rd to Andrews, 8II, 7, 2j, 2j, 1 ovig , 5 Jun 1959, KWS.

VARIATIONS.—The most conspicuous variations occur in the shape of the rostrum and in the size and position of the marginal tubercles. The margins may converge gently almost from base to tip, interrupted only by very small marginal tubercles. The latter are sometimes so small that they are completely obscured by the submarginal setae of the rostrum. In contrast, the rostral margins may converge gradually to the base of the acumen, where strong spiniform tubercles conspicuously define the caudal limit of the latter. The length of the acumen is highly variable because of the distance the tubercles at its base are removed from the apex; in a few specimens, the apices of the marginal tubercles are exceeded by that of the acumen by hardly more than the length of one of the tubercles. In general the smaller individuals have more conspicuous marginal tubercles than do the larger ones. The areola, although not so variable in width, may have six to nine punctations across the narrowest part. The palm of the chela usually bears a row of eight or nine tubercles with only a few situated dorsolateral to it; in an occasional individual in which the chela is believed to have been regenerated, there are as few as six in this row, and infrequently there occur only seven tubercles in an otherwise typical chela. In a small proportion of the specimens, one or both chelae have a second well-defined row on the palm, consisting of as many as nine tubercles. The large mesial spine on the carpus of the cheliped is frequently bifid. Other variations are far less conspicuous than those mentioned and consist largely in slight differences in number and relative degree of development of tubercles on the various podomeres of the cheliped.

SIZE.—The largest specimen available is a female having a carapace length of 37.0 (postorbital carapace length, 30.4) mm. The largest and smallest first form males have corresponding lengths of 36.3 (29.6) mm and 25.0 (20.1) mm, respectively, and those of the smallest ovigerous female 26.7 (21.3) mm.

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) parrishi Hobbs

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp.—Bouchard and Hobbs, 1976:13 [in part].

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) parrishi Hobbs, 1981:263, figs. 21d, 89e, 98, 99, 227.

TYPES.—Holotype, allotype, and morphotype, USNM 144957, 144958, 144959 (male I, female, male II); paratypes, USNM.

TYPE LOCALITY.—Hiwassee River, 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the junction of Georgia routes 17 and 66 on Route 17, approximately 7 miles (11.2 km) southeast of Hiawassee, Towns County, Georgia.

RANGE.—Headwaters of the Hiwassee River in Towns County, Georgia, and Clay County, North Carolina.

HABITAT.—Streams.

Cambarus parrishi, the Hiwassee headwaters crayfish, is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is found in Georgia and North Carolina.