Euastacus spinifer
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| 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]
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
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]