30
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES AND DESCRIPTION
The Devil Crawfish has a wide range
across the country. There are two
recognized subspecies, Cambarus
diogenes diogenes and Cambarus
diogenes ludovicianus. We probably
do not have Cambarus diogenes
ludovicianus but, as noted by
Hobbs
104
, this is a "species complex
and needs considerable attention".
Most crayfish books simply lump them
as Cambarus diogenes.
As a primary burrower, the Devil
crawfish spends the majority of its life
living in a burrow. As such its body
form shows adaptations for this
lifestyle. The carapace is enlarged to
increase gill area for the low oxygen
environment of a burrow.
199
There
are no spines on the carapace. The
rostrum is quite short and turned
down over the eyes. The claws, which
are used in digging, are large and
wide.
If you read the various state crayfish
guides you will find that there can be
quite a bit of variation in the
coloration and markings of this
species. The specimen in the photo
above was collected from Arkansas
Flats in Cherry County. It is very
dark but not untypical for the large
adults that I have collected. The
Minnechaduza Creek specimen at
right has a back that is a deep red-
brown which grades into a pale
underside which can have distinct rosy
or reddish tones. The carapace and
tail will be about equal length.
This juvenile and the one that opens
this chapter show a lighter overall
coloration as well as a stripe down the
center of the thorax and abdomen.
While this stripe is present in adults,
it is very hard to see.
