Species Euastacus spinifer (Heller, 1865)
Sydney Crayfish
- Astacoides spinifer Heller, C. 1865. Crustaceen. In, Reise der Österreichischen Fregatte `Novara' um die Erdre, in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859, unter den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wüllerstorf-Urbair. Zool. Theil. 2(3): 1–280, pls 1–25. [102 pl. IX].
Type data:
Holotype New Holland. - Cancer serratus Shaw, G. 1794. Zoology of New Holland. London : J. Davis Vol. 1 33 pp. 12 pls. [21-23 pl. 8] [junior homonym; junior homonym of Cancer serratus Forskål, 1775 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae)].
Type data:
Status unknown, BMNH, New Holland (presumably Sydney). - Astacopsis paramattensis Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [202 pl. 27 fig. 1].
Type data:
Holotype BMNH ♀, Paramatta River, Sydney, NSW. - Euastacus sydneyensis Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [204 pl. 27 fig. 2].
Type data:
Holotype BMNH ♀, Sydney, NSW. - Euastacus spinosus Riek, E.F. 1956. Additions to the Australian freshwater crayfish. Records of the Australian Museum 24: 1-6 [2 pl. 1].
Type data:
Holotype AM P13033 ♂, upper reaches of Hastings River, NSW.
Paratype(s) AM P13032 ♀ (as allotype); AM P13034 ♀.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
- Morgan, G.J. 1997. Freshwater crayfish of the genus Euastacus Clark (Decapoda: Parastacidae) from New South Wales, with a key to all species of the genus. Records of the Australian Museum 23: 1-110 [97-98]
Introduction
Phylogenetic and population genomic analyses conducted by Van Der Wal et al. (2023) identified several geographically separated populations that might represent separate species, although further investigation is required.
Distribution
States
New South Wales
Extra Distribution Information
From upper reaches of Hastings River NW of Port Macquarie south through Sydney and Blue Mountains to Clyde Mountain near Brooman.
Australian Endemic.
IBRA
NSW: Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- New South Wales: SE coastal
Ecological Descriptors
Freshwater, gravel bottom, omnivore, predator, sand bottom.
Extra Ecological Information
Most abundant in deep lotic freshwater, feeds mainly on decaying plant matter, has been observed to hunt actively and capture tadpoles, from altitudes of 70–800 m.
General References
Merrick, J.R. 1997. Conservation and field management of the freshwater crayfish, Euastacus spinifer (Decapoda: Parastacidae), in the Sydney region, Australia. Journal and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 118: 217-225
Van Der Wal, C., Ahyong, S.T., Adams, M.W.D., Ewart, K.M., Ho, S.Y.W. & Lo, N. 2023. Genomic analysis reveals strong population structure in the Giant Sydney Crayfish (Euastacus spinifer (Heller, 1865)). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 178: 107629
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Jul-2023 | ASTACIDEA Latreille, 1802 | 15-Jun-2023 | MODIFIED | |
| 05-Dec-2019 | DECAPODA Latreille, 1802 | 08-Aug-2018 | MODIFIED | Dr Shane Ahyong |
| 29-May-2012 | 29-May-2012 | MOVED | ||
| 20-Oct-2011 | 20-Oct-2011 | MODIFIED | ||
| 03-Jun-2010 | MODIFIED |