The Conhaway Crayfish (Cambarus (C.) appalachiensis), a new species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the New River Basin of Virginia and West Virginia, USA.

Abstract

The Conhaway Crayfish is a stream-dwelling species endemic to the greater New River basins of Virginia and West Virginia. The new species is morphologically most similar to the Teays River Crayfish (Cambarus sciotensis). Conhaway Crayfish can be differentiated from Teays River Crayfish by its more elongated chelae which possess a single mesial row of tubercles, reduced to no tuberculation on the dorsal-longitudinal ridge of the dactyl, and reduced lateral impression. Teays River Crayfish have a more subrectangular chelae with two rows of mesial margin tubercles on the chelae, as well as both a pronounced dorsal-longitudinal ridge and pronounced lateral impression. Several chelae meristic ratios also differentiate Conhaway Crayfish from Teays River Crayfish. Within the New, Gauley, and lower portions of the Greenbrier basins Conhaway Crayfish are the dominant tertiary burrowing Cambarus species, and as such, the species is considered stable across its range.