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<p>The Hardin crayfish (<i>Faxonius wrighti</i>) possesses a narrow range and is endemic to tributaries of the lower Tennessee River drainage, where habitat fragmentation and small population sizes pose significant conservation concerns. The narrow range of <i>F. wrighti</i> and its isolated, fragmented habitat raise concerns about the maintenance of genetic diversity, reduced adaptive potential, and long-term species persistence. Affirming the taxonomic status of <i>F. wrighti</i> is essential, given that previous molecular studies have challenged morphology-based classifications and mitochondrial sequence data has failed to distinguish <i>F. wrighti</i> from congeners <i>F. erichsonianus</i> and <i>F. yanahlindus</i>. To clarify species boundaries and assess population structure, we analyzed both mitochondrial sequences and genome-wide SNP data from <i>F. wrighti</i> and its congeners. Where mitochondrial data lack taxonomic resolution, nuclear SNPs support species-level distinction of <i>F. wrighti</i> relative to <i>F. erichsonianus</i> and <i>F. yanahlindus.</i> Our results indicated moderate genetic differentiation among <i>F. wrighti</i> populations isolated in separate tributaries of the lower Tennessee River drainage. Genetic diversity estimates from SNPs revealed low to moderate levels of diversity across sampled <i>F. wrighti</i> sites. These findings underscore the genetic distinctiveness of <i>F. wrighti</i> and highlight the importance of conserving the remaining genetic diversity across its range.</p>

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Genomic evidence for species distinctiveness and units of conservation in the Hardin Crayfish (Faxonius wrighti)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月12日

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  • Miranda Gaupp,
  • Parker Hildreth,
  • Lydia Burton,
  • Brooke Grubb,
  • Carla Hurt

摘要

The Hardin crayfish (Faxonius wrighti) possesses a narrow range and is endemic to tributaries of the lower Tennessee River drainage, where habitat fragmentation and small population sizes pose significant conservation concerns. The narrow range of F. wrighti and its isolated, fragmented habitat raise concerns about the maintenance of genetic diversity, reduced adaptive potential, and long-term species persistence. Affirming the taxonomic status of F. wrighti is essential, given that previous molecular studies have challenged morphology-based classifications and mitochondrial sequence data has failed to distinguish F. wrighti from congeners F. erichsonianus and F. yanahlindus. To clarify species boundaries and assess population structure, we analyzed both mitochondrial sequences and genome-wide SNP data from F. wrighti and its congeners. Where mitochondrial data lack taxonomic resolution, nuclear SNPs support species-level distinction of F. wrighti relative to F. erichsonianus and F. yanahlindus. Our results indicated moderate genetic differentiation among F. wrighti populations isolated in separate tributaries of the lower Tennessee River drainage. Genetic diversity estimates from SNPs revealed low to moderate levels of diversity across sampled F. wrighti sites. These findings underscore the genetic distinctiveness of F. wrighti and highlight the importance of conserving the remaining genetic diversity across its range.