Overview
The Oklahoma cave crayfish (Cambarus tartarus, Hobbs III) is one of two stygobitic, or groundwater dwelling, cave crayfish species endemic to the Ozark Highlands in Oklahoma. This species is only known from five cave systems in the Spavinaw Creek drainage, some of which may be connected hydrologically. Virtually nothing is known about the specific life history of Oklahoma cave crayfish, thus information from closely related species has been used to form broad assumptions about the species.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Food
Habitat for the Oklahoma Cave Crayfish is restricted to subterranean streams within limestone caves in the Ozark Highlands of Oklahoma, specifically in the Spavinaw Creek drainage.
Habitat
Habitat for the Oklahoma cave crayfish is restricted to subterranean streams within limestone caves in the Ozark Highlands of Oklahoma, specifically in the Spavinaw Creek drainage.
Physical Characteristics
The Oklahoma cave crayfish lacks pigment and appears nearly white.
C. tartarus is completely aquatic and has only been observed on the substrate within subterranean streams and pools. It does not appear to construct burrows.
According to observations by H.H. Hobbs and M.R. Cooper in 1972, Oklahoma cave crayfish share physical characteristics with other cave-dwelling members of the genus, including C. setosus and C. zophonastes. Oklahoma cave crayfish lack pigment and have significantly reduced external eyes. Specimens can reach up to 30 millimeters in total length. The body is subovate in shape, with the abdomen narrower than the thorax.
Life Cycle
Reproduction is virtually unknown for this species, though smaller individuals have been observed between survey years, as noted in 2012 by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Oklahoma cave crayfish are presumed to be long-lived, as M.P. Venarsky and others observed in other cave-obligate species in 2012.
Behavior
Oklahoma cave crayfish is a completely aquatic species and has only been observed on the substrate within subterranean streams and pools. It does not appear to construct burrows.
Geography
The Oklahoma Cave Crayfish has only been documented in 5 caves in Delaware County, Oklahoma, all within the Spavinaw Creek drainage.
Timeline
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