Neosho Midget Crayfish (Orconectes macrus)

SPECIES DESCRIPTION

The Neosho Midget Crayfish is a small, olive-tan crayfish with a prominent black saddle mark across the junction of the carapace and abdomen. Pincers are short, broad and powerful. The carapace is nearly equal in length to abdomen.

The Neosho Midget Crayfish is currently known from the Spring River and is likely restricted to that basin in Cherokee County. This crayfish inhabits clear, permanent flowing Ozarkian streams over a firm gravel substrate in swift, shallow water. This crayfish burrows short tunnels in areas of small gravel and beneath rubble and boulders.