Conservation status of an imperiled crayfish, Faxonius marchandi Hobbs, 1948 (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

Abstract

We summarize the distribution, ecology, threats, and conservation status of Faxonius marchandi ( Hobbs, 1948 ), the Mammoth Spring crayfish, a limited-range endemic species to the Spring River drainage of Missouri and Arkansas, USA. The species is known from 51 locations on lower-order perennial and intermittent streams in only the eastern portion of the drainage. Faxonius marchandi is found in larger rocky substrates in shallower, slower-velocity habitats of well-buffered, mineral-rich streams. The invading alien crayfish Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus ( Williams, 1952 ) is the most likely threat to F . marchandi . These compiled data should serve as a baseline for future comparison, and facilitate discussion about future management, conservation, and research efforts.