Dichotomous Key to the Crayfishes of the Broad River System

1a. Two cervical spines (Fig. 1A)...........................................go to 2
1b. One or zero cervical spines (Fig. 1B)................................go to 3

Figure 1. Lateral view of crayfish indicating number and position of cervical spines. Modified from Hobbs (1981).

2a. Claw tubercles whitish.............................Procambarus spiculifer
2b. Claw tubercles black...................................Procambarus raneyi

3a. Length of mesial margin of the palm greater than width of palm (sometimes about equal on females).......................................go to 4
3b. Length of mesial margin of palm less than width of palm...go to 6

Figure 2. Dorsal view of crayfish species indicating width of areola.
A) Distocambarus devexus; B) Procambarus pubescens; and
C) Procambarus acutus.  Modified from Hobbs (1981).

4a. Areola narrow (Figs. 2A, C)............................................go to 5
4b. Areola wide (Fig. 2B)...........................Procambarus pubescens

5a. Rostrum long and narrow, usually with acumen (Fig 2C); broad
dark pigment band down center of abdomen....Procambarus acutus
5b. Rostrum short and somewhat spoon shaped (Fig. 2A), acumen typically lacking; no broad dark pigment band down center of abdomen....................................................Distocambarus devexus

Figure 3. Dorsal view of crayfish claws indicating A) single row of tubercles along mesial margin of palm and B) more than one row of tubercles along mesial margin of palm.  Modified from Hobbs (1981).

6a. One row of tubercles along mesial margin of the palm
(Fig. 2A)..........................................................Cambarus bartonii
6b.  Two rows of tubercles along mesial margin of the palm
(Fig 2B)............................................................................go to 7

Figure 4.  Dorsal view of A) Cambarus strigosus and B) Cambarus latimanus. Modified from Hobbs (1989).

7a. Areola nearly obliterated (Fig. 4A); usually with orangish
tubercles on claws and orange rostral margins....Cambarus strigosus
7b.  Areola with some space (Fig. 4B); light brown or tan with darker mottling; no orange tubercles and rostral margins are not orange; however tips of fingers may be orangish............Cambarus latimanus