Terrestrial-overwintering
Guides
Cambarus bartonii
common crayfish, Appalachian brook crayfish, Eastern Crayfish
Cambarus bartonii is a freshwater crayfish native to eastern North America, first described from North America in 1798. It inhabits fast-flowing, cool, rocky streams and shallow lakes across a broad range from Ontario and New Brunswick south to Alabama. The species exhibits notable physiological tolerance to acidic conditions and demonstrates behavioral flexibility, including documented use of terrestrial microhabitats for overwintering. Several subspecies have been proposed but their validity remains under investigation.
Cambarus bartonii bartonii
Common Crayfish
Cambarus bartonii bartonii is a subspecies of freshwater crayfish native to eastern North America. It is a secondary burrowing species found in streams and other aquatic habitats, with documented physiological tolerance to acidic conditions. The subspecies exhibits agonistic behavioral contests between males, particularly during reproductive periods when males adopt Form I morphology with enlarged claws. It has been observed using terrestrial microhabitats for overwintering.