Procambarus dupratzi Penn 1953

Procambarus dupratzi Penn, 1953: Southwestern Creek Crayfish

General charateristics. Adults rarely exceed 100 mm in total length. As a member of the subgenus Pennides, P. dupratzi is the only known crayfish in Oklahoma to have two cervical spines. The rostrum is rather long with prominent lateral spines. Chelae are narrow and cylindrical. Fingers are approximately the same length as the palm. In form I males, the mesial process is slender and directed approximately 90° to shaft. The caudal knob is poorly developed and pentastyle is absent (Walls, 2009). In females, the annulus ventralis has median sinus and is partially covered by tubercles on anterior end (Penn, 1953).

Life coloration. The background color olive drab to brown. There is a darker brown band at the posterior edge of the carapace that extends forward along the lower edge of the carapace. Black stripes run longitudinally along the outer edges of the abdomen (Figure 79). Fingers are usually orange at the tips. The ventral side is light brown to white.

Similar species. No other species resembles P. dupratzi, as this species is the only Procambarus species in Oklahoma to have two cervical spines.

Distribution and habitat. Procambarus dupratzi has a disjunct distribution and occurs in southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas as well as southeast Texas and southwestern Louisiana. In Oklahoma, P. dupratzi was collected in three tributaries of the Little River in McCurtain County (Jones & Bergey, 2005). Our ecological niche model indicated that suitable environmental conditions may also exist further north into the Ouachita and Boston Mountains (Figure 80). Procambarus dupratzi typically inhabits relatively cool streams with clear and sometimes tannin stained water and is a tertiary burrower. We have collected in microhabitats with emergent aquatic vegetation, leaf litter, and other debris which has been found in other surveys (Walls, 2009).

Life history. In Louisiana, form I males have been found year round (Walls, 2009). In Oklahoma, this species was collected in January, May, October, and November. To our knowledge, no form I males, ovigerous females or females with young have been collected in Oklahoma, as this species was only discovered recently during survey work conducted within the state (Jones & Bergey, 2005).

Syntopic species. Cambarus ludovicianus and Orconectes palmeri longimanus.

Conservation status. AFS: Currently Stable; Heritage Rank: Widespread (G5); IUCN: Least Concern; ODWC: Not Listed.

Additional resources. Hobbs (1989, 1990); Walls & Black (2008).