Seasonal Variation and Ecological Effects of Camp Shelby Burrowing Crayfish (Fallicambarus Gordoni) Burrows

• Published in: The American midland naturalist Vol. 159; no. 2; pp. 378 - 384
• Main Authors: Welch, Shane M, Waldron, Jayme L, Eversole, Arnold G, Simoes, Jody C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The University of Notre Dame, P.O. Box 369, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0369 American Midland Naturalist 01.04.2008; University of Notre Dame; University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences
• Subjects: Animal ecology; Behavior; Burrowing; Burrowing animals; Cambaridae; Crayfish; Creeks; Endangered & extinct species; Environmental aspects; Excavations; Fallicambarus gordoni; Foams; Freshwater; Habitats; Influence; Occupancy rates; Plant populations; s; Seasons; Spatial behavior in animals; Studies; Tunnels; Watersheds; Wetland ecology; United States
• ISSN: 0003-0031; 1938-4238
• DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031(2008)159[378:SVAEEO]2.0.CO;2

Foam casts and burrow excavations were used to examine Fallicambarus gordoni burrow occupancy rates, seasonal variation in burrow morphology, correlation between crayfish abundance and burrow abundance and potential ecological effects of burrowing through soil disturbance and the creation of fossorial habitat. Burrow occupancy rates were high (75%) and consistent between active and inactive seasons, although several burrow metrics differed significantly between seasons. Crayfish abundance was strongly correlated with burrow abundance. Estimates of annual soil disturbance (82 metric tons/ha/y) and fossorial habitat created (29–49 km/ha) suggest F. gordoni serves important ecological functions within the greater habitat.