Taxonomic status of members of the subgenus Erebicambarus, genus Cambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae), east of the Mississippi River

In an effort to evaluate and clarify the taxonomic status of crayfishes of the subgenus Erebicambarus east of the Mississippi River morphometric and meristic characters were examined. Multivariate and univariate analyses of characters do not support the recognition of Cambarus laevis and Cambarus ornatus and they are herein considered as synonyms of Cambarus tenebrosus. A pattern of clinal variation in the width of the areola of C. tenebrosus was revealed. Examination of type material of Cambarus cahni supports the designation of Hobbs (1989) of C. cahni as a synonym of C. tenebrosus. An amended key to the subgenus Erebicambarus is provided.