Logo image
Back
Population structure and life history characteristics of Euastacus bispinosus and Cherax destructor (Parastacidae) in the Grampians National Park, Australia
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Population structure and life history characteristics of Euastacus bispinosus and Cherax destructor (Parastacidae) in the Grampians National Park, Australia

K. Johnston, B.J. Robson and C.M. Austin
Freshwater Crayfish, Vol.16, pp.165-173
2008
pdf
Euastacus_bispinosus_and_Cherax_destructor.pdfDownloadView
Published (Version of Record) Open Access
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

Despite being the most widely distributed and cultured freshwater crayfish species in Australia, relatively little is known about the ecology of Cherax destructor outside of captivity. Similarly, few ecological studies have been conducted on the large and threatened stream dwelling Australian freshwater crayfish Euastacus bispinosus. A series of seasonal sampling surveys over two years investigated the population structure, life history and reproductive timing of C. destructor in fire dam habitats, and of E. bispinosus in channel (stream) habitats, in the Grampians National Park in south-west Victoria, Australia. Cherax destructor individuals in the largest size class (50 – 59.95 mm OCL) were not abundant during the study, while those belonging to the 0 – 9.95 mm OCL size class were more frequent in summer than at other times of year, suggesting synchronous recruitment in fire dam habitats. Individuals in the reproductively active mid-size classes were also frequent in summer. For E. bispinosus, sex ratios in spring always favoured females, although there were no clear trends for other times of year. Gravid E. bispinosus females were found in winter and spring throughout the study, and were sexually mature at a smaller size than has previously been reported.

Details

Metrics

336 File views/ downloads
174 Record Views
Logo image