Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
Genetic analysis is needed for seven of the SGCN to identify areas with high genetic diversity, resolve taxonomic relationships, and clarify species distributions. The 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 developed for currently undescribed species in the state. Within the past 10 years, the Carolina Foothills, Rocky River, and Sandhills Spiny crayfishes were described out of the Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp. C species complex. Currently, there are still several suspected species from 10 different river basins that need to be described in this complex. The Chattahoochee Crayfish is currently considered part of another species complex that includes crayfishes found in 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 identified as a species that closely resembles the Common Crayfish and Chattahoochee Crayfish. Six species considered SGCN need long-term monitoring to assess long-term population trends, identify management actions, and update conservation status. A recent status assessment of Broad River Stream Crayfish, Hiwassee Headwater Crayfish, French Broad River Crayfish, and Broad River Spiny Crayfish found that some of these species have restricted ranges or declining populations, and specific monitoring recommendations were suggested (Russ and Fraley 2014) , thereby warranting frequent monitoring of these species. For example, the Grandfather Mountain Crayfish is a SGCN for which monitoring is a high priority because it has a small range that is increasingly threatened by development, the presence of the nonnative Virile Crayfish in the lower Linville River, which is a potential threat, and its population trends, which are not well known. Other needs include monitoring to detect the spread of nonnative species and the status of native sympatric species. Species that have a small native range and are threatened by present or foreseeable habitat disturbance and those that may be declining should be monitored to detect population trends. Investigations on the factors associated with global climate change and deposition of atmospheric pollutants that may affect rare and endemic species found at high elevations, and land-use changes occurring in rapidly developing areas are needed. Research on the habitat requirements and the tolerance of individual species to physical and chemical changes to their habitats is another priority (Simmons and Fraley 2010) . For instance, the Broad River Stream Crayfish appears to be vulnerable to excess sediment and is a priority for monitoring efforts (Simmons and Fraley 2010) . 3.4.5 Management Needs Five crayfish species considered nonnative and/or invasive have been identified in North Carolina and pose significant threat to native crayfish species. These five species are Coosa River Spiny, Kentucky River, Rusty, and Virile crayfishes and the Red Swamp Crawfish. Except for
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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