First Distributional Study of Branchiobdellida (Annelida: Clitellata) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, with a Redescription ofCambarincola holostomusHoffman, 1963

A groundbreaking distributional study of Branchiobdellida, or crayfish worms, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) reveals a previously understudied biodiversity hotspot. Researchers identified 10 species across 15 sites, including five species of Cambarincola, with occurrences ranging from one to eleven sites per species. This study, part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, highlights the complex factors influencing species distribution and host preferences in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notably, a redescription of Cambarincola holostomus Hoffman, 1963, adds new morphological characters to its profile. The findings underscore the need for further intensive surveys to comprehend the ecological dynamics and conserve both the symbionts and their hosts.

Gelder, S. R., & Williams, B. W. (2011). First Distributional Study of Branchiobdellida (Annelida: Clitellata) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, with a Redescription ofCambarincola holostomusHoffman, 1963. Southeastern Naturalist, 10(2), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.1656/058.010.0202