Barbicambarus simmonsi | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Decapoda |
Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
Family: | Cambaridae |
Genus: | Barbicambarus |
Species: | B. simmonsi
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Binomial name | |
Barbicambarus simmonsi (Taylor & Schuster, 2010)
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Barbicambarus simmonsi is a species of giant crayfish discovered in southern Tennessee in 2010.[2][3] The discovery was announced in January 2011.[3]
The animal was discovered in Shoal Creek, a stream in southern Tennessee that ultimately drains into the Tennessee River.[4] The first specimen was discovered by and named for Tennessee Valley Authority scientist Jeffrey Simmons in 2010.[2] University of Illinois aquatic biologist Christopher A. Taylor and Guenter A. Schuster of Eastern Kentucky University found a second specimen and authored the paper announcing the discovery of the new species.[2][3] The creek has been studied for half a century, so this species is believed to be rare.[5] Taylor further suggests that discovery of such a large species there now indicates that more money should be spent on research inside the United States.[3]