Abstract
This study reports on maintenance and growth of the cave crayfish, Orconectes australis packardi, and the epigean crayfish, Orconectes cristavarius, with laboratory conditions for 1 and 2 years. The O. a. packardi survived well compared to the O. cristavarius in captivity. The poor survival of the epigean species was probably due to unsuitable conditions. The epigean as well as the cave crayfish molted and grew in captivity, but without any significant difference in molt frequency between species. In the first year, total body length was obtained to assay growth, whereas in the second year the more accurate measure of post-orbital carapace length was used. The ability of O. a. packardi to adjust to captivity is likely due to their lower metabolic rate and ability to handle hypoxic stress better than epigean species.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 2004
Repository Citation
Cooper, Ann-Simone and Cooper, Robin L., "Growth of Stygobitic (Orconectes australis packardi) and Epigean (Orconectes cristavarius) Crayfishes Maintained in Laboratory Conditions" (2004). Biology Faculty Publications. 85.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/biology_facpub/85
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, v. 65, no. 2, p. 108-115.
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