Orconectes sp. nov

Map [dots indicate Ouachita National Forest collection sites]

Recognition Characters: A plain brownish crayfish of medium size with a carapace shorter than the abdomen. Areola well-developed. Male gonopod terminating in two elongate, rather strongly curved processes; gonopod processes both curving in the same direction and widely separate near their tips.

Coloration: The basic body color is dark brownish-green. Chelae are brownish-green also while the underside is light.

Size: Adults are about 2 to 3 inches (50-76 mm) in total length.

Habitat: This crayfish inhabits pool margins of small, clear, upland streams where it hides beneath bedrock, rubble, and rocks and wanders in search of food throughout shallow pool regions.

General Range: Arkansas endemic. Known only from the upper Saline River basin and the upper Maumelle River basin.

Comments: This undescribed species has been known for some time; however, the late Dr. Horton H. Hobbs, Jr. never officially described the crayfish. As part of an on-going study of the crayfishes of Arkansas, Dr. Raymond W. Bouchard of the Philadelphia Academy of Science and the Principal Investigator (HWR) are in the process of writing a book which will resolve several longstanding taxonomic problems in Arkansas relating to crayfish systematics.

The undescribed species was collected five times from the upper Saline River drainage (Ouachita River system) and also from the upper Maumelle River drainage. A total of 67 specimens was collected by Mr. David Saugey and the Principal Investigator.
 

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