Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Cambarus (Hiaticambarus) fasciatus
Cambarus (Hiaticambarus) species G.—Hobbs, 1969a:106, 141, fig. 10 [in part].
Cambarus sp. nov. B.—Anonymous, 1970b:180, 182, 184.
Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp.—Hart and Hart, 1974:79.
Cambarus nov. sp. B.—Wharton, 1978:220.
SUMMARY OF LITERATURE.—Hobbs (1969a) referred to this crayfish as one of two members of the subgenus occurring in the “upper Coosa system,” and in his distribution map (fig. 10) he relegated both this species and C. (H.) coosawattae to his “species G” but cited no specific localities. Anonymous (1970b) reported it from three localities on the Etowah River, one each in Cherokee, Dawson, and Lumpkin counties (see “Specimens Examined”). It was cited as a host to Donnaldsoncythere hiwasseensis (= D. donnaldsonensis) by Hart and Hart (1974) in Shoal Creek, Dawson County, Georgia.
DIAGNOSIS.—Rostrum with margins not strongly tapered, angular at base of acumen, and bearing spines or tubercles (many individuals in late intermolt stages with abraded margins lacking spines or tubercles). Postorbital ridges terminating cephalically in small spine or spiniform tubercle. Cervical spine well developed. Suborbital angle acute to strongly obtuse. Areola 2.8 to 5.2 times as long as broad and constituting 32.2 to 38.2 percent of entire length of carapace (41.6 to 45.4 percent of postorbital carapace length); of 80 specimens measured only 4 with ratio of 45 percent or more. Chela with row of tubercles on mesial margin of palm strongly or weakly developed, second row of less well developed tubercles sometimes present, with or without setal tuft at mesial base of fixed finger; lateral margin of propodus costate or subcostate. Hook on ischium of third pereiopod opposed by tubercle on basis. Pleura of third through fifth abdominal segments truncate ventrally, subangular caudoventrally. First pleopod of first form male with moderately short terminal elements: central projection bearing distinct subapical notch, not tapering, and directed at about 120 degrees to shaft of appendage; mesial process inflated, tapering, with acute tip directed caudally at about right angle. Terga of abdomen with broad dark bands spanning no less than posterior third of each; first tergum entirely dark; no dark scalloped line evident along bases of pleura. Female without first pleopods—unique in subgenus.
HOLOTYPIC MALE, FORM I.—Body subovate, depressed (Figure 61a,j). Abdomen narrower than cephalothorax (13.3 and 16.0 mm); maximum width of carapace distinctly greater than depth at caudodorsal margin of cervical groove (16.0 and 11.7 mm). Areola almost 4 times as long as broad, constituting 36.0 percent of total length of carapace (43.4 percent of postorbital carapace length), densely punctate with about 7 punctations across narrowest part. Rostrum with thickened margins gently converging to base of acumen, there distinctly angular and bearing minute corneous tubercles; acumen, with strongly upturned tip, reaching midlength of ultimate podomere of antennular peduncle; dorsal surface of rostrum concave with conspicuous deep punctations in basal half. Subrostral ridge rather strong and evident in dorsal aspect along entire length of rostrum, continuing onto acumen. Postorbital ridge short, deeply grooved dorsolaterally, and terminating cephalically in short, acute, upturned spine. Suborbital angle obtuse; branchiostegal spine moderately strong and acute. Cervical spine well developed. Carapace densely punctate dorsally except for polished median gastric area, granulate laterally and with prominent tubercles in hepatic and posterior orbital regions as well as flanking cervical groove in anteroventral branchiostegal region. Abdomen shorter than carapace (28.4 and 32.0 mm); pleura moderately long, truncate ventrally, and subangular caudoventrally. Cephalic section of telson with 2 spines in each caudolateral corner, usual lateral incision deep and transverse suture clearly defined. Uropod with both lobes of proximal podomere bearing short corneous spine or tubercles; mesial ramus with low submedian ridge bearing premarginal spine, and spine present on distolateral extremity.
Cephalomedian lobe of epistome (Figure 61g) broadly rounded, subplane, with submedian acute prominence cephalically; main body with distinct fovea and arched epistomal zygoma, latter flanked anterolaterally by elongate pits. Ventral surface of proximal podomere of antennular peduncle with short acute spine at base of distal fourth. Antennal peduncle with strong lateral spine on basis and with well-defined corneous-tipped tubercle on ischium; flagellum reaching fourth abdominal tergum; antennal scale (Figure 61i) about 2.4 times as long as broad, widest slightly proximal to midlength, distal spine strong and reaching base of distal fourth of ultimate segment of antennular peduncle. Ventral surface of ischium of third maxilliped with broad longitudinal band of long stiff setae and with submarginal lateral row of smaller both stiff and plumose ones, few additional setae in area between rows; distolateral extremity subangular but not produced.
Right chela (Figure 61l) 2.2 times as long as broad, mesial margin of palm occupying about one-third of its length. Mesial surface of palm with single row of 7 well-defined tubercles flanked dorsolaterally by row of 6 decidedly smaller ones; dorsal and ventral surfaces with many large, deep punctations, lateral margin of palm strongly costate, costa extending along almost entire length of fixed finger; lateral base of latter rather deeply impressed. Fingers widely gaping, lacking setal tuft at opposable base of fixed finger; dorsal longitudinal ridges not sharply defined on either finger (punctations in Figure 61l responsible for ridges appearing sharply delimited), both fingers with large deep punctations; opposable margin of fixed finger with row of 10 rounded, corneous tubercles extending from base almost to corneous tip of finger, distal fourth of finger with row of minute tubercles present on level slightly below tubercular row, and prominent tubercle on yet lower level situated opposite base of row of denticles; opposable margin of dactyl with row of 9 tubercles (10 on left chela) similar in form and disposition to those on fixed finger, large tubercle on lower level and minute denticles situated as on fixed finger; mesial surface of dactyl punctate.
Carpus of cheliped with prominent longitudinal furrow dorsally, flanked by setiferous punctations; mesial surface with large procurved spine, and smaller knoblike tubercle situated more proximally; ventral surface with smaller punctations, and 2 tubercles present on distal margin, one on lateral condyle and other on mesioventral angle. Merus with 2 premarginal tubercles dorsally; ventrolateral trolateral row of tubercles represented by only 2, and ventromesial row consisting of 10 (9 on left cheliped), distal members of both rows strongest and spikelike; distolateral surface with minute subacute corneous tubercle. Mesial margin of ischium with 1 very small tubercle.
Ischium of third pereiopod with simple hook (that on right deformed) overreaching basioischial articulation and opposed by tubercle on basis (Figure 61h). Coxa of fourth pereiopod with transverse boss vertically disposed, that of fifth pereiopod devoid of boss but with ventral membrane sparsely setiferous.
First pleopods (Figure 61b,d,f) reaching coxae of third pereiopods, symmetrical, with gap between their bases. (See “Diagnosis” for description.)
ALLOTYPIC FEMALE.—Excluding secondary sexual characters, differing from holotype in following respects: distal spine on antennal scale almost (left) or reaching (right) distal end of ultimate podomere of antennular peduncle; mesial margin of palm of chela with row of only 6 tubercles on left member, more lateral row on both chelae rudimentary, represented by punctations; opposable margin of fixed finger with setal tuft along proximal three-fourths, in addition, row of 8 tubercles along proximal two-thirds on right chela (6 on left), row of minute denticles along distal third (half on left), and large tubercle on lower level at base of distal third; merus with ventrolateral row of 8 tubercles on right member (9 on left); mesial margin of ischium with 2 small tubercles. (See “Measurements.”)
Annulus ventralis (Figure 61k) approximately 1.5 times as broad as long, slightly movable, subsymmetrical, cephalic and central areas decidedly less sclerotized than caudal part; cephalic area with subparallel longitudinal ridges flanking trough leading to depressed central area; sinus originating at caudal end of trough, from there extending gently caudodextrally, making hairpin turn, continuing cephalosinistrally across median line before turning sharply caudodextrally, and ending on caudal wall at median line. Postannular sclerite, little more than one-third as long as annulus and about three-fifths as wide, with straight caudal margin and arched cephalically. First pleopods lacking. Ovigerous, bearing 73 eggs, diameter of which 2.6 to 2.8 mm.
MORPHOTYPIC MALE, FORM II.—Differing from holotype in following respects: rostrum reaching distal end of antennular peduncle, marginal spines larger; mesial margin of palm of right chela with row of 8 tubercles; adjacent, more lateral row much weaker, some tubercles represented by punctations; fingers of chelae not so conspicuously gaping, opposable surface of fixed finger with setal tufts present on proximal half and with row of 9 tubercles and another of minute denticles, latter extending along distal half of finger, and tubercle on lower level situated at base of distal two-fifths; ventromesial row of tubercles on merus of right cheliped consisting of 7 tubercles (left with 9); mesial margin of ischium of right cheliped with 2 tubercles; ischium of third pereiopod with shorter hooks, latter not overreaching basioischial articulation. First pleopod (Figure 61c,e) with juvenile suture of shaft evident; neither terminal element corneous; central projection inflated and directed caudally at right angle; mesial process, except for being shorter, strongly resembling that of holotype. (See “Measurements.”)
COLOR NOTES (Figure 58b).—Carapace with background tan to olive brown, bearing following dark brown markings: reticulate pattern over mandibular adductor region joined by narrow, dark area covering and flanking cervical groove, another extending across orbital and ventral hepatic regions, and saddle extending across posterior part of carapace. Antennal and mandibular regions pinkish cream; areola slightly darker than branchiostegites, latter fading ventrally. Abdomen with caudal part of tergum of first segment very dark brown, remaining terga with broad, transverse dark brown bands caudally, extending ventrally onto pleura, caudal margins edged in burgundy, also second through fifth terga with much narrower dark band anteriorly, separated from broader posterior band by pale pinkish area expanding ventrally and covering anteroventral part of pleura. Telson and uropods bluish olive with margins, ridges, and sutures orange tan. Dorsal surface of chelipeds distal to midlength of merus mostly pale tan to light brown, fingers fading to cream distally; tubercles and articular ridges and knobs orange; sternal area and proximal podomeres of all pereiopods pinkish cream, more distal podomeres (merus through dactyl) olive, distal margins of each reddish orange.
Measurements (mm)
TYPES.—The holotypic male, form I, allotypic female, and morphotypic male, form II (numbers 147917, 147918, and 147919, respectively), are deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, as is the paratypic series, which is restricted to those specimens listed under “Georgia Specimens Examined” from Lumpkin County (specimens cited under the type-locality include the holotype, allotype, and morphotype).
TYPE-LOCALITY.—Etowah River 0.2 mile west of State Route 52 on an unpaved road near Davis Chapel, Lumpkin County, Georgia. There the river was some 12 meters wide and no more than one meter in depth, and the clear water flowed with a moderate to swift current over a sand bottom littered with rocks and woody debris (Anonymous, 1970b:88).
RANGE.—This crayfish is known only from the Coosa River basin in Georgia, where it occurs throughout the Etowah drainage system above Allatoona Lake, from three localities in downstream tributaries in Bartow and Polk counties, and an additional locality, in Bartow County, which is now submerged in the waters of Allatoona Lake.
GEORGIA SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—I have examined 393 specimens from the following localities. Bartow County: (1) Bouldery Ford on Stamp Creek, 0.3 mi above jct with McKaskey Creek, 4I. 1II, 2j, 4j, 3 ovig , 1 May 1948, D. C. Scott, collector; (2) trib to Coosa River 5.3 mi W of Kingston, 1I, 2j, 6 Apr 1952, E. A. Lachner et al. Cherokee County: (3) Etowah River at Rte S2551, 0.7 mi SE of St Rte 5, 2 mi W of Ball Ground (Anonymous, 1970b: 184), 1I, 2II, 1, 3j, 1 ovig , 13 May 1969, E. T. Hall, Jr.; (4) Shoal Creek, 1, 6 Jul 1948, DCS; (5) Sweetwater Creek, 1I, 3 Apr 1953, DCS; (6) Lost Town Creek, 3II, 2, 7 Jul 1948, DCS; (7) Upper Moores Mill on Shoal Creek, 1, 7 Jul 1948, DCS; (8) Etowah River 1 mi NW of Hightower Church near confluence of Board Tree Creek (Anonymous, 1970b: 182), 1 specimen, 13 May 1969, ETH. Dawson County: (9) Amicalola Creek 6.4 mi W of US Hwy 19 on St Rte 53, 1II, 2, 3j, 18 Jun 1975, D.J. Peters, J. E. Pugh, HHH; (10) Etowah River 0.7 mi NW of Landrum on St Rte 136, 1I, 1II, 21 Apr 1968, C. R. Gilbert; (11) trib to Amicalola Creek 19 mi S of Ellijay on St Rte 52, 2I, 4II, 2, 18j, 32j, 4 May 1967, Torgny Unestam, HHH; (12) trib to Etowah River 2 mi N of Dawsonville on St Rte 136, 11I, 11II, 27, 2j, 3j, 26 Mar 1951, E. C. Raney; (13) stream at base of Amicalola Falls, 3II, 1, 1j, 1j, 14 Jun 1966, J. M. Odell; (14) Amicalola Creek 3 mi SW of Johntown, 3I, 4II, 4, 18 Apr 1968, coll ?; (15) Shoal Creek, 5 mi SW of Dawsonville, 12II, 2, 3 Jun 1950, DCS; 1II, 8 Jul 1948, DCS; (16) trib to Etowah River 3.4 mi W of Dawsonville on St Rte 53, 2I, 2II, 2, 31 Mar 1950, ECR; (17) Clear Creek about 2 mi SE of Amicalola Falls, 6II, 4, 8 Jul 1948, DCS; (18) Shoal Creek 2.5 mi W of Dawsonville on St Rte 85, 1, 17 Jul 1961, R. W. Yerger. Lumpkin County: (19) Etowah River at St Rte 52 (Anonymous, 1970b: 180), 7I, 5II, 9, 5j, 4j, 4 May 1967, TU, HHH; (20) Etowah River at Castleberry Bridge on US Hwy 19, 1j, 10 Apr 1947, ECR; 10II, 9, 18 Jun 1975, DJP, JEP, HHH; (21) Etowah River at Jay Bridge Rd, at first bridge upstream from St Rte 52, 3I, 1II, 6, 1j, 1j, 25 Mar 1978, B. A. Caldwell; (22) Etowah River at Castleberry bridge, 1 mi W of Auraria, 1, 1j, 25 Mar 1978, BAC; (23) Jones Creek NE of Nimblewill Church off St Rte 52, 1I, 1II, 1, 1j, 1j, 25 Mar 1978, BAC; (24) Poverty Creek in extreme W Lumpkin Co, 5I, 2II, 1, 25 Apr 1954, DCS; (25) Etowah River near Dahlonega, 3II, 1948, DCS; (26) type-locality, 5I. 1, 1j, 5j, 2 ovig , 27 May 1969, ETH; (27) trib to Etowah River 3 mi N of St Rte 52 off Jones Creek Rd, 1I, 8II, 13, 12 Apr 1968, HHH; (28) stream 7 mi W of Dahlonega, 1, 1j, 2j, 23 Jul 1960, A. Metcalf. Pickens County: (29) East Branch of Long Creek 5.3 mi W of Dawson Co line on St Rte 53, 1II, 11 Jun 1952, R. H. Gibbs; 3II, 18 Jun 1975, DJP, JEP, HHH; (30) trib to Little River 1 mi W of Tate on St Rte 156, 2I, 7j, 4j, 29 Apr 1967, TU, HHH. Polk County: (31) Euharlee Creek at Rockmart, 12I, 3II, 2, 4j, 5j, 5 ovig , 18 Apr 1966, ETH, HHH; 3II, 1j, 6 ovig , 3 with young, 11 May 1967, TU, HHH; 2I, 2II, 23 Apr 1977, JEP, HHH.
VARIATIONS.—One of the most conspicuous variations occurs in the rostral margins. In late intermolt individuals (particularly in larger, presumably older ones) the marginal tubercles may be absent; even the angle marking their usual position is occasionally rounded. The suborbital angle, while rather consistently obtuse, is sometimes so broad as to appear virtually obsolete. As few as six and as many as nine punctations span the narrowest part of the areola. The mesialmost row of tubercles on the mesial surface of the palm in unregenerated chelae contains seven or eight; the adjacent more dorsolateral row is much more variable, possessing as many as eight although usually less than seven and sometimes being entirely replaced by prominent punctations. The number of tubercles on the opposable margin of the fingers and on the ventral surface of the merus of the cheliped is also variable, particularly those constituting the ventromesial row on the merus, which range from six to 12. The setal tuft at the opposable base of the fixed finger of the chela is seldom conspicuous and often entirely absent. A single second form male from the Etowah River at U.S. Highway 19 differed from all of the other members of the species collected with it in lacking well-defined transverse bands on the abdomen, and the saddle on the carapace was very pale. Other variations are indicated in the “Diagnosis” and in “Measurements.”
SIZE.—The largest specimen available is a first form male having a carapace length of 51.1 mm (postorbital carapace length, 42.3 mm). Corresponding lengths of the smallest first form male are 21.4 (16.6) mm and of the smallest ovigerous female, 26.7 (21.6) 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
