Abstract

Approximately 1,400 caves are known from two major karst areas in southern Indiana. Numerous taxa inhabit these caves: the blind, white troglobitic crayfishes, Orconectes inermis inermis (Cope) and O. inermis testii (Hay), and the eyed, pigmented trogliphile Cambarus (Erebicambarus) laevis (Faxon) are prominent; O. immunis (Hagen), O. sloanii (Bundy) and O. propinquus (Girard) also are occasionally observed. Of these species C. laevis is the most widely distributed. The troglobitic and troglophilic crayfishes demonstrate a substrate preference for gravel-rocky areas. However, they move from preferred substrates in search of food and are thus commonly observed in areas of low stream gradient with reduced flow. These areas are often pooled with a mud substrate blanketed by a silt-detritus cover. Thus, the need for food overcomes the preference for a substrate on which cover is available. Fossorial behavior is demonstrated by these forms in a mud substrate. Further observations on the behavior of spelean crayfishes in Indiana are reported.

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