Euastacus spinifer is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Australia that belongs to the family Parastacidae.[2]
| Euastacus spinifer | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Family: | Parastacidae |
| Genus: | Euastacus |
| Species: | E. spinifer
|
| Binomial name | |
| Euastacus spinifer (Heller, 1865)
| |
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| Range of Euastacus spinifer (orange) in Australia | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Astacoides spinifer Heller,1865 | |
It was first described in 1865 as Astacoides spinifer by Camill Heller,[2][3] but has been redescribed many times.[2] The argument[4] for the synonymy of the various names has been accepted.[2]
Appearance
editMorphological variation is observed in Euastacus spinifer that originate in different river systems. They are mostly green with reddish-brown joints and bright spines.[5]
Diet
editDetritus forms the staple diet of the species but they may also eat small invertebrates and tadpoles.[5] They are also cannibalistic. They are also believed to be opportunistic omnivores.[6]
Life cycle
editMating takes place in winter when temperature drops to as low as 15 °C (59 °F), and eggs are laid in early July. Eggs are carried in the female Pleopods and hatch after an incubation period of 110–140 days. Hatch-lings stay with their parents until early summer. Males mature in 5–6 years and grow to 11 centimetres (4 in) on maturity while females take about 8 years and grow to lengths above 14 centimetres (6 in). There is a class of "precious males" that mature at 4 centimetres (2 in) length. There are slight variations in reproduction cycle between species in different river systems.[7]
Size
editEuastacus spinifer may grow up to 24 centimetres (9 in).[5] Largest recorded weight is 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb).[8]
Distribution
editThey are endemic to Australia. They may be found from near sea level to as high as 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). They are distributed over a range of 55,000 square kilometres (21,000 sq mi).[1]
Habitat
editCreeks and estuaries are their usual habitats. Their habitats are usually shaded by vegetation.[9]
Moulting
editMoulting frequency of individuals in the species differs with size: smaller individuals moult up to six times a year while larger individuals moult only once a year. Different sizes moult at different seasons with temperature believed to be the regulating force.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Coughran, J.; Furse, J. (2010). "Euastacus spinifer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T153707A4534826. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T153707A4534826.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Species Euastacus spinifer (Heller, 1865)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Government. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ^ Camill Heller (1865). "Crustaceen". Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair (in German). Wikidata Q126943020.
- ^ G. J. Morgan (7 March 1997). "Freshwater crayfish of the genus Euastacus Clark (Decapoda: Parastacidae) from New South Wales, with a key to all species of the genus" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplements. 23: 1–110. doi:10.3853/J.0812-7387.23.1997.429. ISSN 0812-7387. Wikidata Q99653075.
- ^ a b c "Species Bank Treatment for Euastacus spinifer". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-07-09.
- ^ Turvey, P, Merrick, J R (1997). "Diet and feeding in the freshwater crayfish, Euastacus spinifer (Decapoda: Parastacidae), from the Sydney region, Australia". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 118: 175–185. ISSN 0370-047X. Wikidata Q126919373.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Turvey, P; Merrick, JR (1997). "Reproductive biology of the freshwater crayfish, Euastacus spinifer (Decapoda: Parastacidae), from the Sydney region, Australia". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 118: 131–155. ISSN 0370-047X. Wikidata Q126919539.
- ^ Turvey, P; Merrick, JR (1997). "Growth with age in the freshwater crayfish, Euastacus spinifer (Decapoda: Parastacidae), from the Sydney region". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 118: 205–215. ISSN 0370-047X. Wikidata Q126919592.
- ^ Keith A. Crandall. "Euastacus spinifer Heller 1865". Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Turvey, P; Merrick, JR (1997). "Moult increments and frequency in the freshwater crayfish, Euastacus spinifer (Decapoda: Parastacidae), from the Sydney region". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 118: 187–204. ISSN 0370-047X. Wikidata Q126919613.