Aquatic crustaceans of Ohio's caves and springs

Recent investigations in the caves and springs of Ohio have resulted in a better understanding of the distribution and species of crustacean fauna inhabiting the ground waters of the state. More than 200 caves and springs in Ohio were surveyed for biota in 2007-2008 and crustaceans were preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol and identified. Combining this information with data from previous collections, five species of amphipods, four species of isopods, and five species of crayfishes have been observed, with many locations serving as new Ohio records. Amphipoda are represented by the families Crangonyctidae [Bactrurus mucronatus (Forbes) SB, Crangonyx forbesi (Hubricht & Mackin) SX/SP, Crangonyx ohioensis Zhang & Holsinger SB, Synurella dentata Hubricht SX], and Gammaridae (Gammarus minus Say) SX/SP; Isopoda by the family Asellidae [Caecidotea filicispeluncae Bowman & Hobbs SB, Caecidotea rotunda Bowman & Lewis SB, Caecidotea stygia Packard SB, and Lirceus fontinalis Rafinesque SP]; and Decapoda by the family Cambaridae [Cambarus (Cambarus) bartonii cavatus Hay SP, Cambarus (Cambarus) ortmanni Williams SX, Cambarus (Cambarus) sciotensis Rhoades SX, Orconectes (Procericambarus) rusticus (Girard) SX, and Orconectes (Crockerinus) sanbornii SX]. Abbreviations used are: SB = stygobiont – obligatory groundwater organism; SP = stygophile – facultative groundwater inhabitant; SX = stygoxene – temporary inhabitant of groundwater habitats.