Considerable effort has been undertaken to better understand the ecology and life history of cambarus callainus and cambarus veteranus since their federal listing in 2016

Most of this effort has focused on three demographics: juveniles, adults, and geriatrics. Zero concerted efforts have been dedicated to studying neonate biology. Recent telemetry work on C. Callainus indicated that most adults move upstream when making movements greater than 10M. Adults moving upstream in riverine systems is often associated with neonatal movements downstream in stream fishes and benthic macroinvertebrates, a behavior referred to as drift. Zero effort has been dedicated to understanding neonatal cambarid crayfish dispersal strategies.since several animals employ drift as a dispersal strategy, and evidence indicates C. Callainus and C. Veteranus may employ drift, a dedicated study is proposed to determine if these imperiled species use this behavior. Drift nets will be deployed in late summer and early fall in streams with robust C. Callainus populations. Nets will be checked hourly for 24-hour periods. Collection vessels will be sorted in white panel dishes, and all crayfish will be identified to species. Animals will be released after identification. Determining if drift behaviors are utilized by imperiled crayfish is an essential step in managing the species. Results from this study will be shared with USFWS biologists and used to make management decisions for both imperiled taxa.