Does A Predator Transition Determine The Distribution Of Crayfish In The New River, NC?

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Kenneth Fortino (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Robert Creed

Abstract: The stream-dwelling crayfish fauna of the New River in western NC, consists of three common species (Orconectes cristavarius, Cambarus chasmodactylus, and Cambarus bartonni) and a rare species (Cambarus aspermanus) . . . In this study I evaluated the factors that may be responsible for the virtual absence of C. chasmodactylus YOY from the New River, despite the presence of the adults . . . The importance of abiotic factors and competition was tested using a target-neighbor design field experiment where a uniform density of C. chasmodactylus YOY was enclosed in the New River with O. cristavarius YOY at densities ranging from none to approximately two times ambient density . . . The results of this study suggest that this shift in predatory fish type may be important in determining the distribution of crayfish species in the New River.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Fortini, K. (2000). Does A Predator Transition Determine The Distribution Of Crayfish In The New River, NC? Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2000
Keywords
biology, crayfish, New River, North Carolina, Orconectes cristavarius, Cambarus chasmodactylus, Cambarus bartonni

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