3.4 Crayfshes
assessments are needed for all but one of the species ranked as Knowledge Gap priority species.
Life history research is a conservation priority for all native crayfshes in North Carolina because this research forms the foundational knowledge base for evaluating threats and impacts from non-indigenous species, planning conservation activities, and guiding tem- poral aspects of environmental impacts. Nine of the SGCN species are high conservation priorities because of their NC endemic status, restricted range, taxonomic relationship, or lack of basic biological knowledge. Genetic analysis is needed for seven of the SGCN to identify areas with high genetic diver- sity, resolve taxonomic relationships, and clarify species distributions. Te results of genetic analysis studies will provide the knowledge needed to assess long-term monitoring priorities and direct conservation activities. An understanding of genetic diversity at the population level coupled with long-term monitoring will provide better information to conserve species.
Taxonomic descriptions need to be devel- oped for currently undescribed species in the state. Within the past 10 years, the Carolina Foothills, Rocky River, and Sandhills Spiny crayfshes were described out of the Cambarus ( Puncticambarus ) sp. C species complex. Currently, there are still several suspected species from 10 diferent river basins that need to be described in this complex. Te Chattahoochee Crayfsh is currently considered part of another species complex that includes crayfshes found in
Chattahoochee Crayfsh (TR Russ, NCWRC)
the Broad and Catawba River basins and the South Fork Catawba River subbasin. Recently, Cambarus ( Cambarus ) sp. A , which is found in the Hiwassee and New River basins, was identifed as a species that closely resembles the Common Crayfsh and Chattahoochee Crayfsh. Six species considered SGCN are in need of long-term monitoring to assess long-term population trends, identify management actions, and update conservation status. A recent status assessment of Broad River Stream Crayfsh, Hiwassee Headwater Crayfsh, French Broad River Crayfsh, and Broad River Spiny Crayfsh found that some of these species have restricted ranges or declining populations, and specifc monitoring recommendations were suggested (Russ and Fraley 2014) , thereby warranting frequent monitoring of these species. For example, the Grandfather Mountain Crayfsh is a SGCN for which monitoring is a high
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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