Master's Theses

Department

Biology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Kansas represents the western most edge of high crayfish diversity in North America. The most recent comprehensive survey of crayfishes in Kansas was conducted over 50 years ago and resulted in a list of seven species. Subsequently, three species were added sporadically. The most recent summary of crayfishes in Kansas included 10 species and suggested the highest diversity to be located in the northeastern portion of the state. I surveyed crayfishes in three river basins in Kansas during the summers of 2009, 2010, and 2011: Kansas-Lower Republican, Missouri, and Upper Republican. Sites were selected based on stream order and partitioned among three macrohabitat types (pool, riffle, and run). A total of 132 sites were surveyed and 9,858 crayfishes were documented and represented six species (Cambarus diogenes, Orconectes immunis, O. luteus, O. neglectus, O. virilis, and Procambarus simulans). Orconectes virilis was the predominant species collected and exhibited an affinity for pools and runs. Orconectes immunis rarely was collected and was restricted to stagnant streams with minimal flow. New distributional records were documented for four species: C. diogenes, O. luteus, O. neglectus, and P. simulans. Study results have implications for future evaluation of crayfish communities in Kansas.

Keywords

cambaridae, crayfish, Kansas, orconectes, cambarus

Advisor

Dr. William Stark

Date of Award

Summer 2012

Document Type

Thesis

Rights

© The Author(s)

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