Procambarus liberorum Fitzpatrick, 1978

Morehouse, Reid L. & Tobler, Michael, 2013, Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae) of Oklahoma: identification, distributions, and natural history, Zootaxa 3717 (2), pp. 101-157 : 138

Procambarus liberorum Fitzpatrick, 1978 : Osage Burrowing Crayfish

General charateristics. Adults rarely exceed 90 mm in total length. The carapace has no cervical spines or tubercles, and the areola is closed. The rostrum has gently curving margins, lacks marginal spines, and the acumen is barely present. Chelae are blunt, heavy, and tubercles line the mesial margins of the palm and dactyl. In form I males, gonopods extend to the base of the third pereiopods, terminate in four processes, and have a strong rightangled shoulder at base of central projection. The central projection terminates distally and is directed slightly caudolaterally. In females, the annulus ventralis is deeply excavated in the cephalomedian half and has surrounding margins with spines or tubercles (Fitzpatrick, 1978).

Life coloration. The background color is uniform and reddish brown ( Figure 83 ). Ventral side is cream to white. There are no distinct coloration characteristics for this species.

Similar species. In Oklahoma, P. liberorum closely resembles P. gracilis . It differs from P. gracilis by having gonopods having a wider caudal process, a base of the mesial process being straight, and by the cephalic process being directed less cephalically (Fitzpatrick, 1978).

Distribution and habitat. Procambarus liberorum is a primary burrowing species that occurs near the eastern border of Oklahoma and throughout much of Arkansas (Robison & McAllister, 2006). According to our ecological niche model, regions with suitable environmental conditions are located within the Neosho River drainage, the western foothills of the Boston and Ouachita Mountains, and along the Red River in McCurtain and Choctaw counties ( Figure 84 ). As a primary burrower, P. liberorum inhabits grasslands and areas that were formerly covered with native grasses, roadside ditches in these areas, and mountainous regions within the Boston and Ouachita Mountains (Robison & McAllister, 2006). It can often be found long distances from a permanent water source. Occasionally, this species can be found near creeks or wetland areas.

Life history. Procambarus liberorum spends the majority of time within its burrow. Form I and II males as well as mature females have been collected by excavating burrowers in April and July (Robison & McAllister, 2006). It is likely that P. liberorum has a similar life history as P. gracilis .

Syntopic species. Procambarus gracilis .

Figures

FIGURES 77 – 84. 77. Procambarus curdi 78. Potential distribution of Procambarus curdi 79. Procambarus dupratzi 80. Potential distribution of Procambarus dupratzi 81. Procambarus gracilis 82. Potential distribution of Procambarus gracilis 83. Procambarus liberorum 84. Potential distribution of Procambarus liberorum.