@article{Dillard_Loughman_2021, title={Big Sandy Crayfish (Cambarus callainus) Habitat Affinity in Proximity to Bridges and Assessed via Radio Telemetry}, volume={93}, url={https://pwvas.org/index.php/pwvas/article/view/817}, DOI={10.55632/pwvas.v93i1.817}, abstractNote={<em>Cambarus callainus</em> (Big Sandy Crayfish) is a federally threatened species endemic to the coalfields of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Existing datasets involving this species reflect broad/seasonal natural history trends, but conservation managers are still in need of a fine-scale, high resolution understanding of daily microhabitat utilization and movement patterns.  The WVDOT has identified multiple locations within <em>C. callainus </em>range where in-stream bridge infrastructure requires complete reconstruction in a timely manner.  Construction projects occurring within waterways supporting <em>C. callainus</em> could represent a threat to the crayfish community, but the extent of such effects is currently unknown.  To identify potential disruptions to <em>C. callainus </em>populations we aim to determine the extent of site fidelity, peak and minimum activity periods, and preferred microhabitat utilization assessed by radiotracking <em>C. callainus</em> during and after active construction.  Collected data will be interpreted to determine further conservation and management practices necessary for protection of <em>C. callainus</em>.  Findings will allow organizations such as the WVDOT to move forward with necessary infrastructure projects while mitigating further anthropogenic impact to this vulnerable species.}, number={1}, journal={Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science}, author={Dillard, Zachary W and Loughman, Zachary J}, year={2021}, month={Apr.} }