Biology:Euastacus spinifer
| Euastacus spinifer | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Family: | Parastacidae |
| Genus: | Euastacus |
| Species: | E. spinifer
|
| Binomial name | |
| Euastacus spinifer (Heller, 1865)
| |
| |
| Range of Euastacus spinifer (orange) in Australia | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Astacoides spinifer Heller,1865 | |
Euastacus spinifer is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Australia that belongs to the family Parastacidae.[2]
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
Morphological 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
Detritus 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
Mating 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
Euastacus spinifer may grow up to 24 centimetres (9 in).[5] Largest recorded weight is 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb).[8]
Distribution
They 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
Creeks and estuaries are their usual habitats. Their habitats are usually shaded by vegetation.[9]
Moulting
Moulting 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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Coughran, J.; Furse, J. (2010). "Euastacus spinifer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T153707A4534826.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/153707/4534826. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Species Euastacus spinifer (Heller, 1865)". Australian Government. https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Euastacus_spinifer.
- ↑ , Wikidata Q126943020
- ↑ , Wikidata Q99653075
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Species Bank Treatment for Euastacus spinifer". https://m.ala.org.au/repo/1000/25/253561/raw.html.
- ↑ Turvey, P, Merrick, J R, Wikidata Q126919373
- ↑ Turvey, P; Merrick, JR, Wikidata Q126919539
- ↑ Turvey, P; Merrick, JR, Wikidata Q126919592
- ↑ "Euastacus spinifer Heller 1865". Tree of Life Web Project. http://tolweb.org/Euastacus_spinifer/7937.
- ↑ Turvey, P; Merrick, JR, Wikidata Q126919613
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q1372077 entry
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