Species Cherax cainii Austin, 2002

Museums

Regional Maps

• Cherax cainii Austin, C.M. in Austin, C.M & Ryan, S.G. 2002. Allozyme evidence for a new species of freshwater crayfish of the genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda: Parastacidae) fron the south-west of Western Australia. Invertebrate Systematics 16: 357-367 [360-363].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM C28348 ♂, Scott River, Brennan bridge, Scott River Road, 12 km north-east of Augusta, south-western Western Australia.

 

Introduction

This species was originally confused with Cherax tenuimanus, however this taxon was split into two by Austin & Ryan (2002). Cherax tenuimanus is restricted to the Margaret River. The common 'Marron', which has formed the basis of both a wildcaught fishery and an aquaculture industry, is based on Cherax cainii and not C. tenuimanus as long understood. An application to the ICZN to erect neotypes for both species so as to maintain the name Cherax tenuimanus for the common widespread species was rejected (ICZN 2008).

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Originally endemic to south-west of Western Australia, but Cherax cainii has been transplanted to natural and artificial water bodies and as a result has become widespread throughout the south-west of Western Australia. It has also been introduced into Victoria and South Australian freshwater habitats where feral populations have become established (Austin, 2002: 360). Also widely cultured in QLD until the late 1980s but since then most farmers have switched to Redclaw.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones

IBRA

SA, Vic, WA: Warren (WAR)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia

Ecological Descriptors

Freshwater.

 

General References

ICZN 2008. Opinion 2212 (Case 3267). Cherax tenuimanus Smith, 1912 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pasastacidae): proposed desingation of neotype not accepted and usage not conserved. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 65(4): 320 [320]

 

History of changes

Published	As part of group	Action Date	Action Type	Compiler(s)
29-May-2012		29-May-2012	MOVED
20-Oct-2011		20-Oct-2011	MODIFIED
		03-Jun-2010	MODIFIED