Habitat suitability modelling of primary burrowing crayfishes, with a new state record for Procambarus liberorum Fitzpatrick, 1978 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae)

Abstract Distributional surveys of primary burrowing crayfishes have historically been limited due to the challenge of finding and excavating burrows. Habitat suitability models (HSMs) have proven useful in explaining distributional patterns of many species, including crayfish. We used Maxent-derived HSMs to examine potential expansion of the known range of the Osage burrowing crayfish, Procambarus liberorumFitzpatrick 1978. We document the first record of P. liberorum in Missouri, extending its known range 54.2 km north. During modelling we encountered inaccurate GPS coordinates and difficulties with characterizing roadside ditch habitats from coarse urban land cover classifications. We discuss these limitations and highlight considerations for future modelling of primary burrowing crayfish.