| Cambaridae | |
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| Procambarus clarkii | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Superfamily: | Astacoidea |
| Family: | Cambaridae Hobbs, 1942 |
| Genera | |
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TheCambaridae are the largest of the fourfamilies offreshwatercrayfish, with over 400species.[1] Most of the species in the family are native to the United States east of theGreat Divide and Mexico, but fewer range north to Canada, and south toGuatemala andHonduras. Three live on the island ofCuba. The species in the genusCambaroides are only found outside North America, as they are restricted to eastern Asia.[2]
A few species, including theinvasiveProcambarus clarkii andFaxonius rusticus, have been introduced to regions far outside their native range (both in North America and other continents). Conversely, many species have tiny ranges and are seriously threatened; a few are already extinct.[2]
A 2006 molecular study suggested that the family Cambaridae may beparaphyletic, with the familyAstacidae nested within it, and the status of the genusCambaroides remains unclear.[3]
The oldest fossils of the family are known from theLate JurassicMorrison Formation of western North America.[4]
Media related toCambaridae at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toCambaridae at WikispeciesAuthority control databases: National |
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