DETERMINING THE UPPER THERMAL LIMITS OF THE WHITE TUBERCLED CRAYFISH (PROCAMBARUS SPICULIFER, LECONTE 1856)**

Abstract

The southeastern United States is a biodiversity hotspot, yet many of its freshwater species, including crayfish, face threats from habitat changes and increasing temperature. Despite the ecological importance of crayfish, physiological data critical for predicting species\u27 responses to environmental changes, such as thermal tolerance, are limited. This study aims to investigate the upper thermal limit (UTL)—the temperature at which physiological function breaks down due to thermal stress—of Procambarus spiculifer (the White Tubercled Crayfish), a common stream-dwelling species in cool-water habitats across the southeastern United States. The UTL of P. spiculifer will be determined in a controlled experiment by steadily increasing water temperature until the breakdown of physiological function is indicated by a lack of righting response. Understanding the thermal tolerance of P. spiculifer has the potential to provide crucial data for conservation efforts, offering insight into the species’ potential responses to rising temperatures and habitat changes. These findings will contribute to broader ecological predictions and management strategies aimed at preserving crayfish biodiversity in the face of climate change