Vol. 76, pp. 121-126 2 August 1963 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON A NEW CRAWFISH FROM THE HATCHIE RIVER IN MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE (DECAPODA, ASTACIDAE) By George Henry Penn 1 Department of Zoology, Tulane University, New Orleans The species described here belongs to the Spiculifer group of the genus Procambarus. The first specimen, a female, was col-lected in 1955; subsequent visits to the Hatchie River in 1956 and 1960 added only six additional specimens. The Hatchie originates in northeastern Mississippi and flows roughly in a northwesterly direction across southwestern Tennessee before emptying into the Mississippi River about 30 miles north of Memphis. The timber of most of this area was cut long ago and the land heavily farmed thereafter. As a result of this exploita-tion, soil erosion was serious and most of the streams and small rivers are laden with silt, making conditions unfavorable for many forms of aquatic life. At most of the potential collecting sites no crawfishes were found despite vigorous efforts on the part of two graduate students and myself. At other sites the total yield was sparse to say the least. I am indebted to Messrs. Joe B. Black and Joseph F. Fitzpat-rick, Jr., for their efforts in the field. This investigation was supported by research grants from the National Science Foun-dation (Nos. G-947 and G-2330). Procambarus ablusus, new species 2 Holotype, male form I: Cephalothorax (Figs. 1, 2) subovate; greatest width of cephalothorax just posterior to midpoint of areola; greatest height of cephalothorax at anterior end of areola. Abdomen narrower than and slightly longer than cephalothorax. Areola broad, nearly four times longer than wide at its narrowest width where there are three punctations. Cephalic portion of cephalo-1 We regret to report the death of Dr. Penn on 10 May 1963. Ed. 2 ablusus, L. = different. 15— Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. 76, 1963 ( 121 )
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