Targeted microhabitat sampling and its role in conserving endemic freshwater taxa

AbstractNorth America harbors a rich freshwater fauna, but many of its taxa are narrowly-distributed and threatened with future range reductions from invasive species, habitat alterations, and water quality degradation. The importance of conserving narrowly-distributed freshwater species is well documented, but mechanisms responsible for their distributions are often poorly understood. Developing approaches to better address these species and their unique habitat requirements is critical for providing adequate conservation. We demonstrate the value of fine-scale sampling for narrowly-distributed taxa through a case study of the Coldwater Crayfish (Faxonius eupunctus), a species endemic to the upper Eleven Point River drainage in Arkansas and Missouri, USA. We targeted the upper Eleven Point River drainage for sampling based on results from previously-constructed classification and regression tree species presence models. We estimated F. eupunctus presence and density in shallow, wadeable habitats where lo...