Systematics of the North American Crayfish Genus Orconectes (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

Abstract

Both molecular and morphological evidence indicated the presence of three species new to science. One of those species is described herein as Orconectes margorectus. Orconectes margorectus occurs in small creeks with rocky substrates and is endemic to the extreme lower Cumberland and Ohio river drainages in western Kentucky. The second species, now referred to as O. putnami lives in the lower Tennessee River drainage and while the third species, now referred to as O. illinoiensis, occurs in Ohio River tributaries of southeastern Illinois.