Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

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

journal contribution
posted on 2008-01-01, 00:00 authored by Kerrylyn Johnston, Belinda Robson, Chris AustinChris Austin
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.

History

Journal

Freshwater crayfish : a journal of astacology

Volume

16

Pagination

165 - 173

Publisher

International Association of Astacology

Location

Auburn, AL

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2008, International Association of Astacology

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC