Cambarus hubrichti

Cambarus hubrichti is a species of decapoda in the family Cambaridae.^[2] The species goes by the common name Salem cave crayfish.^[3]

Cambarus hubrichti
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Family:	Cambaridae
Genus:	Cambarus
Species:	C. hubrichti
Binomial name
Cambarus hubrichti Hobbs, 1952

It is generally an omnivorous species. But, since green plants are scarce in caves it usually eats a proportion of animal meat.^[4]

Occurrence

The species is endemic to the Salem Plateau in the southeastern part of Missouri.^[1] It is found in the east-central parts of the Ozarks^[4]

The species is most often found in cave streams and underground lakes, sometimes it is also found at the mouth of springs.^[4] According to the IUCN, in cave streams the species appears to prefer deep pools and siphons fed by submerged passages.^[1]

Threats

According to the IUCN the greatest threats to this species is pollution as well as residential and commercial development. In 1981 a pipeline broke causing ammonium fertilizer to leak into the Maramec Spring, resulting in the death of thousands of individuals.^[1]

According to the Missouri department of conservation. Since the species is uncommon and has a limited range, it is therefore vulnerable to extirpation as well as extinction. Keeping the groundwater clean is key to help the species survive.^[4]