Overview
Found only in Bay County, Florida, the Panama City crayfish is a semi-terrestrial freshwater crustacean that inhabits bodies of shallow water in open pine flatwoods and wet prairies. The crayfish populations were historically connected, and individuals could migrate to new areas/populations during heavy rain events. Development threatens the crayfish by fragmenting, degrading, and destroying its habitat, making it likely to become at risk of extinction in the foreseeable future.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
The Panama City crayfish is a semi-terrestrial crayfish that inhabits wet pine flatwoods and prairie-marsh communities. It is endemic to specific soil types in Bay County, Florida. The species inhibits shallow, ephemeral, freshwater wetlands. Ideal habitat is dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little to no shrub or tree cover. Grassy vegetation provides the crayfish with food options and cover from predators. Due to this species need to burrow when there is an absence of surface water, specific soil types are required to support Panama City crayfish during the dry season and droughts.
Areas such as marshes or swamps that are covered often intermittently with shallow water or have soil saturated with moisture.
Food
The Panama City crayfish is an opportunistic feeder. We are unsure exactly what the species diet consists of, but biologists believe it likely eats organic matter such as decaying plants and possibly live prey such as insects and other smaller crayfish.
Behavior
The Panama City crayfish will create burrows in the soil when water levels dip below a certain threshold. The crayfish will dig a hole until it reaches water, which can be around 3 feet deep. When water levels above ground begin to rise, the crayfish will emerge from its burrow.
Physical Characteristics
The Panama City Crayfish is a small crayfish. Its body length is about two inches, not including its claws. Both Male and female Panama City crayfish have two identically sized claws that are used for scavenging food items and protection.
The color pattern of the Panama City crayfish consists of a medium dark brown background color, lighter brown mid-dorsal stripe, and darker brown stripes on either side of the crayfish. The lower surfaces of the carapace are lighter brown with reddish-brown spots.
Life Cycle
The lifecycle of the Panama City crayfish is believed to be similar to other North American crayfish species. Females will carry a clutch of eggs attached to their abdomens. Once the juveniles emerge from the eggs, they stay with the female for around 20-60 days.
The lifespan of the Panama City crayfish is unknown. It is believed to be similar to other North American crayfish of similar size, which is between 1.5 - 3.5 years.
Timeline
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