NO. 3621 



CRAYFISH FROM ALABAMA CAVES — HOBBS 



third pereiopods well developed but not so long as in holotype; pro- 

 tuberances on coxae of fourth pereiopods almost as well developed 

 as in holotype. 



First pleopod (figs. 2 and 4) with both terminal elements, partic- 

 ularly central projection, heavier than in holotype; neither corneous, 

 but both disposed as in holotype. 



Measurements (in millimeters). — 



carapace 



height 



width 



length 

 rostrum 



width 



length 

 areola 



width 



length 

 chela 



length, inner margin of palm 



width of palm 



length, outer margin of hand 



length of dactyl 



Size. — The largest specimens available are two second form males 

 from Key Cave, Lauderdale County, Ala., that have carapace lengths 

 of 24.5 mm. The carapace of the smallest first form male, which is 

 from the type-locality, is only 18.5 mm long. The largest female, 

 also collected in the type-locality, has a carapace length of 20.9 mm. 



Type-locality. — McKinney Pit Cave (Alabama Cave Survey, 

 No. A-620, in files of ACS; see Tarkington et al., 1965), about 2.5 

 miles west of Tuscumbia, Colbert County, Ala. (Sec. 10, T 4S, R 

 12W). The entrance to the cave is a vertical sinkhole some 30 feet 

 in depth, located at the foot of a ravine. After the initial drop, the 

 level of the cave descends gradually to an irregular pool of standing 

 water approximately 150 square feet in area and ranging in depth 

 from one to four feet, The bottom is covered with a heavy layer of 

 silt. The far end of this pool connects with extensive channels of 

 deeper water. Following heavy rains, much debris from the surface 

 apparently washes into the cave. In October 1966, following a drought, 

 the pool originally visited had disappeared completely, and the water 

 level in the cave had dropped at least four feet below that observed 

 on two previous visits. (The foregoing is extracted from notes provided 

 by Mr. and Mrs. Cooper; additional information concerning the cave 

 and its fauna presently is being prepared for publication by them.) 



