Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Cambarus (Puncticambarus) hiwasseensis
Cambarus (Puncticambarus) species C.—Hobbs, 1969a:102, 135, fig. 7*.
Cambarus hiwasseensis.—Anonymous, 1973b:66* [nomen nudum].
Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp.—Bouchard and Hobbs, 1976: 13 [in part].
Cambarus (Puncticambarus) species D.—Hobbs and Peters, 1977:6, 8, 12, 30, 33.—Cooper and Cooper, 1977:198*.
Cambarus hiawasseensis.—Wharton, 1978:220* [nomen nudum].
SUMMARY OF LITERATURE.—The first record of the existence of this crayfish was reported by Hobbs (1969a), who noted its presence in the Hiwassee River basin in Georgia and North Carolina. It was next mentioned under the nomen nudum, Cambarus hiwasseensis, by Anonymous (1973b) as occurring in the “West Fork of Wolf Creek immediately upstream from confluence with East Fork,” Union County, Georgia. Its association with C. (J.) nodosus was mentioned by Bouchard and Hobbs (1976). Hobbs and Peters (1977:30, 33) reported it from the Hiwassee Basin of North Carolina, where it served as a host to Dactylocythere falcata and Dt. leptophylax. Cooper and Cooper (1977) referred to its occurrence in Cherokee County, North Carolina, as well as in the Hiwassee Basin of Georgia and Tennessee.
DIAGNOSIS.—Body pigmented, eyes well developed. Rostrum with margins only slightly thickened and devoid of marginal spines or tubercles. Areola 1.9 to 3.7 times as long as wide and comprising 29.4 to 34.8 percent of entire length of carapace (39.3 to 42.6 percent of postorbital carapace length) and bearing 8 to 11 punctations across narrowest part. Small cervical tubercle present, cervical spine lacking. Suborbital angle acute. Postorbital ridge terminating cephalically in very small corneous tubercle. Antennal scale approximately 2.5 times as long as wide, broadest distal to midlength. Chela not strongly depressed, with 2 rows of tubercles along mesial margin of palm, mesialmost row consisting of 6 to 10; lateral margin of palm costate and both fingers with well-defined longitudinal ridges dorsally. Male with basis of third pereiopod bearing tubercle opposing hook on ischium. First pleopod of first form male with rather short terminal elements: central projection not tapering distally, recurved at approximately 110 degrees to main shaft of appendage, and bearing conspicuous subapical notch; and mesial process somewhat inflated, acute, and extending caudolaterally slightly beyond tip of central projection at angle of about 90 degrees to main shaft. Female with annulus ventralis shallowly embedded in sternum and subsymmetrical; first pleopod present. Carapace and abdomen mottled, latter with longitudinal series of very irregular dorsolateral splotches and smaller more distinct ones along bases of pleura.
HOLOTYPIC MALE, FORM I.—Body subovate, depressed (Frontispiece and Figure 97a). Abdomen narrower than thorax (16.4 and 19.3 mm); maximum width of carapace greater than depth at caudodorsal margin of cervical groove (19.3 and 13.6 mm). Areola 2.4 times as long as wide, with dense punctations, 9 across narrowest part. Cephalic section of carapace twice as long as areola, length of latter 33.8 percent of entire length of carapace (39.5 percent of postorbital carapace length). Rostrum with slightly thickened convergent margins, devoid of marginal spines or tubercles, tapering gradually from base to level of distal end of basal segment of antennular peduncle, from there converging more rapidly and forming acute tip slightly overreaching penultimate podomere of latter; dorsal surface of rostrum concave, densely punctate especially basally. Postorbital ridge short, not strongly elevated, grooved dorsolaterally, and terminating in very small corneous tubercle. Subrostral ridge weak, and evident in dorsal aspect only along basal part of rostrum. Suborbital angle acute. Branchiostegal spine only moderately well developed. Cervical spine lacking, replaced by 2 or 3 tubercles slightly larger than others nearby. Carapace punctate dorsally, with almost no polished area in gastric region, and granulate laterally; granules largest on hepatic region and in anteroventral branchiostegal region.
Abdomen longer than carapace (38.2 and 36.2 mm); pleura of moderate length, truncate ventrally and with caudoventral extremity rounded. Cephalic section of telson with 2 spines in each caudolateral corner. Proximal podomere of uropod with distal spine on each lobe; mesial ramus of uropod with weak submedian ridge terminating in short premarginal spine.
Cephalomedian lobe of epistome (Figure 97i) subtriangular, with cephalolateral margins thickened and somewhat undulating; main body with conspicuous median fovea; epistomal zygoma broadly arched. Ventral surface of proximal podomere of antennule with spine at base of distal third. Antennal peduncle with spine on lateral surface of basis and weak subacute tubercle on ventral surface of ischium; flagellum reaching fifth abdominal tergum; antennal scale (Figure 97d) about 2.4 times as long as wide, broadest distal to midlength, its mesial margin rounded, lacking angles, and its distal spine reaching end of ultimate podomere of antennular peduncle. Ventral surface of ischium of third maxilliped with mesial half bearing clusters of long stiff setae and with submarginal lateral row of much smaller ones; distolateral extremity angular.
Right chela (Frontispiece) about 2.4 times as long as broad, mesial margin of palm constituting about one-third total length, and with row of 7 tubercles subtended dorsally by another of 6; except for few very small tubercles on dorsal surface of mesial fourth, palm otherwise punctate. Both fingers with prominent submedian longitudinal ridges, flanked by setiferous punctations, dorsally and ventrally. Fixed finger strongly costate laterally with costa extending proximally for almost half length of palm; opposable margin of finger with dorsal row of 11 tubercles along basal two-thirds, ventral one of 4 tubercles along middle third, and narrow band of minute denticles between rows extending distally from level of sixth tubercle of dorsal row to corneous tip of finger. Opposable margin of dactyl with row of 14 tubercles and single row of minute denticles extending distally from tenth tubercle from base; in general, tubercles on both fingers decreasing in size distally; mesial margin of dactyl tuberculate along proximal three-fifths and bearing row of setiferous punctations along distal two-fifths.
Carpus of cheliped with broad, moderately deep, slightly oblique longitudinal furrow flanked by punctations; mesial surface with prominent spine near midlength and small tubercle proximally, spine with additional small tubercle at proximoventral base; ventral surface with 2 large tubercles on distal margin, 1 on articular knob, and smaller one proximomesially. Merus with 4 subdistal tubercles dorsally, punctate mesially and laterally, and with ventromesial row of 13 tubercles and ventrolateral one of 6. Mesial margin of ischium with row of 4 tubercles.
Ischium of third pereiopod with simple hook, overreaching basioischial articulation, opposed by prominent tubercle on basis (Figure 97j). Coxa of fourth pereiopod with vertically disposed caudomesial boss; that of fifth with scarcely trace of boss, its ventral membrane with few setae.
First pleopods (Figure 97b,e,g) with gap between bases and reaching coxae of third pereiopods; both terminal elements recurved at angle slightly greater than 90 degrees to main shaft of appendage. Mesial process inflated but tapering distally to acute tip directed caudolaterally; central projection, with uniform width, more strongly recurved than mesial process and with distinct subapical notch.
ALLOTYPIC FEMALE.—Differing from holotype, other than in secondary sexual characters, as follows: areola with approximately 12 punctations across narrowest part; mesial margin of palm of left chela with 8 tubercles in mesialmost row subtended dorsolaterally by row of 8 smaller ones; tubercles on dorsal surface of palm of chela limited to mesial rows just mentioned; opposable margin of fixed finger of right chela (left broken) with 8 tubercles in dorsal row and 2 in ventral; opposable margin of dactyl with row of 10 and 9 tubercles on right and left chelae, respectively; mesial surface of carpus of right cheliped with 2 spines near midlength; merus of left and right chelae with 2 and 3, respectively, subdistal tubercles dorsally; ventral surface of merus of right cheliped with mesial row of 12 tubercles and lateral one of 2, that of left cheliped with 10 and 3, respectively. (See “Measurements.”)
Annulus ventralis (Figure 97h) rather shallowly situated in sternum, somewhat diamond shaped, its angles in transverse and longitudinal planes, and almost twice as broad as long; cephalic half with median longitudinal furrow flanked by paired narrow ridges, and prominent subangular ridge forming caudal wall; sinus originating in caudal portion of median furrow, and, extending caudally for short distance, turning sinistrally at right angle before making hairpin turn and crossing to dextral side of median line; from there sinus curving caudally in gentle arc across caudal ridge and terminating on caudal face of latter almost on median line. Postannular sclerite less than half width of annulus and about half as long as wide; surface without ornamentation. First pleopod extending cephalically at least to midlength of annulus when abdomen flexed.
MORPHOTYPIC MALE, FORM II.—Differing from holotype in following respects: areola with 9 or 10 punctations across narrowest part; cephalomedian lobe of epistome almost truncate cephalically; mesial margin of palm of left chela with row of 9 tubercles flanked dorsolaterally by row of 9 much smaller ones (corresponding numbers on right chela, 7 and 7); except for few adjacent to rows, palm otherwise punctate dorsally; longitudinal ridges on fingers of chela less prominent; opposable margin of fixed finger of both left and right chelae with dorsal row of 6 tubercles, fourth from base largest, and only 1 tubercle replacing ventral row present in holotype; opposable margin of dactyl of left chela with row of 8 tubercles (right with 12); carpus of left cheliped lacking tubercle at proximoventral base of spine on mesial surface, and tubercle proximomesial to large marginal mesial tubercle on ventral surface rudimentary; dorsal surface of merus with only 2 conspicuous subdistal tubercles; ventral surface of merus of left cheliped with mesial row of 12 tubercles and lateral one of 4 (13 and 2, respectively, on right); hook on ischium of third pereiopod not overreaching basioischial articulation, but opposed by strong tubercle on basis. (See “Measurements.”)
First pleopod with terminal elements directed caudally at right angle to main shaft of appendage; central projection broadly rounded apically and extending about as far caudally as distally directed subacute apex of mesial process (elements usually contiguous for more than half length of central projection (Figure 97c,f) but not so in morphotype).
COLOR NOTES (Figure 89f).—Ground color of body tan to greenish tan with darker reticulations dorsally; dark band present immediately cephalic to cervical groove, bearing cephalic excision middorsally. Mandibular adductor and hepatic regions dark, mottled with cream tan. Cream spot present between base of suborbital angle and cervical tubercles. Branchiostegites with grayish brown mottlings converging caudally almost to level of branchiocardiac grooves, fading ventrally to grayish cream. Abdomen with linear series of dark grayish brown spots dorsolaterally, each spot extending from cephalic margin of tergum caudolaterally, covering cephalic half to two-thirds length of tergum; that on sixth tergum, however, ending on cephalic third. Pleuron of first abdominal segment mostly cream; base of remaining pleura with grayish brown oblique splotch extending from base caudoventrally; cream spot below splotch and with dark marking on or near ventral margin. Telson and uropods with reticulate pattern. Cheliped greenish brown dorsally from midlength of merus distally, otherwise pinkish cream; all tubercles pale, and articular bosses dark brown. Remaining pereiopods mottled dorsally distal to midlength of merus, and pinkish cream ventrally and proximally. Antennules and antennae greenish brown basally, changing to reddish tan distally.
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 129366, 129365, and 129364, respectively, as are the paratypes consisting of 19II, 16II, 26, 40j, and 36j.
TYPE-LOCALITY.—Tributary to Peachtree Creek, 0.8 miles north of Peachtree School on U.S. Alternate Highway 64, Cherokee County, North Carolina.
RANGE.—The upper Hiwassee River basin (Blue Ridge Province) in Georgia and North Carolina.
SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—I have examined 395 specimens (141 from Georgia and 254 from North Carolina) from 18 localities in Georgia and 21 in North Carolina as follows. GEORGIA. Towns County: (1) Corn Creek at N city limits of Young Harris on US Hwy 76, 1, 1j, 1j, 6 Nov 1958, K. W. Simonds, collector; 2I, 2II, 6, 8j, 8j, 27 Apr 1967, Torgny Unestam, HHH; (2) junction of Byers and Brasstown creeks 0.6 mi NW of Young Harris on St Rte 66, 1II, 2, 1j, 20 Aug 1952, HHH; 3, 1j, 3, 10 Oct 1969, K. R. Martin, HHH; (3) Hiwassee River about 0.25 mi upstream from junction with Hightower Creek, 1, 9 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; (4) Hightower Creek 0.25 mi upstream from junction with Hiwassee River, 6I, 3, 2j, 9 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; (5) Hightower Creek 7.3 mi E of Hiwassee on US Hwy 76 and 0.3 mi S on graded road, 3I, 4, 1j, 9 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; (6) Hightower Creek near Titus on US Hwy 76, 4j, 4j, 27 Apr 1967, TU, HHH. Union County: (7) East Fork of Wolf Creek 0.5 mi N of Vogel State Park on US Hwy 19, 3I, 1, 2j, 2j, 5 Nov 1958, KWS; (8) Reece Creek 4.8 mi NW of Blairsville on US Hwy 19, 1I, 2, 2j, 1j, 5 Nov 1958, KWS; (9) trib to Town Creek 1.8 mi SW of St Rte 66 on Rte 180, 1II, 6 Nov 1958, KWS; (10) trib to Youngcane Creek 2.6 mi E of Fannin Co line on US Hwy 76, 2I, 1II, 5 Nov 1958, KWS; (11) trib to Nottely Lake 15.2 mi SW of Towns Co line on US Hwy 76, 2I, 4, 1j, 10 Oct 1969, KRM, HHH; (12) West Fork of Wolf Creek at confluence with East Fork, about 2 mi N of Vogel State Park, 1, 9 Aug 1972, E. T. Hall, Jr., W. D. Kennedy; (13) East Fork of Wolf Creek 150 m upstream from confluence with West Fork, 2I, 1, 24 Oct 1976, T. A. English, Jr., HHH; (14) Stephens Creek near Blairsville, 3I, 1II, 10, 7j, 4j, 13 Mar 1951, D. Ameel; (15) Seabolt Creek 7.4 mi W of Blairsville on US Hwy 76, 3II, 4, 1j, 8 Sep 1945, G. B. Hobbs, HHH; (16) Brasstown Creek at Towns Co line on US Hwy 76, 1I, 3, 3j, 3j, 27 Apr 1967, TU, HHH; (17) Butternut Creek 1.7 mi NE of Blairsville on US Hwy 76, 2I, 27 Apr 1967, TU, HHH; (18) Nottely River 1 mi N of St Rte 186 on US Hwy 19, 1I, 1, 27 Apr 1967, TU, HHH. NORTH CAROLINA. Cherokee County: (19) type-locality, 6I, 4, 1j, 2j, 8 Nov 1958, KWS; (20) creek 2.1 mi S of US Hwy 64 on Hwy 19, 2I, 8II, 9, 23j, 25j, 14 May 1960, KWS; (21) creek 1.1 mi S of US Hwy 64 on St Rte 60, 4I, 3, 5j, 3j, 5 Apr 1962, KWS, J. F. Fitzpatrick, Jr., HHH; (22) Shoal Creek at jct of St Rte 294 and road to Hiwassee Dam, 1II, 4j, 1 ovig , 8 Jun 1959, KWS; (23) creek 1 mi from Shady Grove Church on Culberson Rd, 1I, 1II, 2j, 1j, 8 Jun 1959, KWS; (24) creek 8.5 mi W of Ranger on US Hwy 64, 1II, 5, 1j, 21 Aug 1952, HHH; (25) Martin Creek at Murphy, 1I, 17 Oct 1954, R. Warner; (26) creek 2.0 mi E of Murphy on US Hwy 64, 3II, 1, 27 Jun 1957, E. A. Crawford, Jr.; (27) creek 1.1 mi E of Hopewell Church on US Hwy 64, 2I, 1II, 1, 3j, 4j, 8 Jun 1959, KWS; (28) creek 1.6 mi W of US Hwy 64 on St Rte 60, 2I, 5II, 3j, 8 Jun 1959, KWS; 1I, 4II, 2, 14j, 8j, 12 Jun 1960, KWS; (29) Grape Creek 1.4 mi off Joe Brown Rd, 1, 6 Jun 1959, KWS; (30) Cane Creek 17 mi E of Tennessee line off US Hwy 64, 2II, 1, 1j, 15 Apr 1962, KWS, JFF, HHH; (31) Rose Creek 1.8 mi off Beaver Dam Rd, 1, 1j, 2j, 6 Jun 1959, KWS; (32) Camp Creek 4.5 mi E of Turtletown, 4j, 3j, 6 Aug 1959, KWS; (33) creek 6.9 mi E of Tennessee line on US Hwy 64, 2I, 1II, 1, 1j, 3j, 15 Apr 1962, JFF, HHH; (34) Owl Creek 1.2 mi off Beaver Dam Rd, 1II, 2, 1j, 2j, 5 Jun 1959, KWS; (35) creek at jct of US Hwy 64 and St Rte 60, 3, 1959, KWS; (36) Valley River 0.9 mi S of Cooper Valley, 1I, 2II, 4, 5j, 8j, 21 Aug 1952, HHH. Clay County: (37) Hiwassee River 4.0 mi E of Peachtree Rd on US Alt Hwy 64, 1II, 4j, 3j, 5 Jun 1959, KWS; (38) creek 8.9 mi SE of Murphy on US Hwy 64, 1II, 3j, 4j, 21 Aug 1952, HHH; (39) Crawford Creek at Warne, 6II, 9, 2j, 21 Aug 1952, HHH.
VARIATIONS.—The most conspicuous variations in this crayfish occur in the rostrum and chela; however, none of them seem to be regionally restricted, and the extremes occasionally occur in different individuals from the same locality. The rostrum is sometimes slenderer and even more strongly tapering than that illustrated for the holotype; in contrast, it is often broader and occasionally less tapering; in none of the available specimens, however, is there a trace of a marginal spine or tubercle. The number of tubercles along the mesial surface of the palm is highly variable: six to 10 occurring in the mesialmost row, and three to eight in the more lateral one; in most individuals, the former consists of seven or eight tubercles and the other of five or six. The length of the fingers in the males is also variable, and there is evidence that males in the second or third breeding season have longer fingers than do those in the first; that is, the larger first form males have longer chelae than do the smaller ones. The holotype is a comparatively large individual and has correspondingly long fingers. The costate lateral margin of the propodus and the dorsal impression at the base of the fixed finger are also more conspicuous in larger individuals. The cervical tubercles may be moderately well developed or may be virtually obsolete. For ranges in proportions of the width and length of the areola and its relation to carapace length, see “Diagnosis.”
SIZE.—The largest specimen available is a male, form I, with a carapace length of 40.0 (postorbital carapace length, 32.1) mm; the corresponding lengths of the largest female are 39.5 (31.9) mm, the smallest male, form I, 24.6 (19.5) mm, and of the single ovigerous female, 30.1 (23.9) mm.
- bibliographic citation
- Hobbs, Horton Holcombe, Jr. 1981. "The Crayfishes of Georgia." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-549. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.318
