Claw morphology, claw strength, and fighting behavior in the New River crayfishCambarus chasmodactylusJames, 1966 (Decapoda: Astacoidea: Cambaridae)

Despite the diversity in the size, performance, and function of crustacean claws (chelae), our understanding of the functional morphology and evolution of these claws are lacking. Since crayfish claws are multi-function organs that face selection from fighting, mating, foraging, and predation, these pressures all interact to shape the claws morphology and performance. I studied a unique claw morphology, the exaggerated claw gape of the New River...