A molecular and morphological guide to the pilose crayfishes of western North America

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Principe, Nicole; Ash, Kurt T.; Davis, Mark A.; Egly, Rachel M.; Larson, Eric R.

Source:

Western North American Naturalist, Volume 81, Issue 3, p.16 p. + appendix (2021)

Call Number:

A21PRI01IDUS

Keywords:

DNA, molecular analysis, morphological analysis, Pacifastacus connectens, Pacifastacus gambelii, pilose crayfish

Abstract:

This article presents molecular and morphological analyses of the Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens and the pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii, sister species endemic to western North America. The researchers studied voucher specimens collected from across the presumed native ranges of both species. They discovered that P. connectens represents a diverse polytomy of multiple lineages distributed in the middle Snake River watershed and adjacent Harney Basin, whereas P. gambelii represents a monophyletic lineage of extremely low genetic diversity distributed primarily in the upper Snake River watershed and adjacent Bonneville Basin. We also confirmed that the pilose crayfishes are morphologically distinct relative to each other, with P. connectens reliably possessing a narrow or acute rostrum and P. gambelii reliably possessing a broad or obtuse rostrum. Alternatively, some other morphological characters historically associated with the two pilose crayfish species were less reliable in differentiating P. connectens and P. gambelii. These findings should help in the conservation efforts of the pilose crayfish, whose apparent range is in decline.