Comparative reproductive biology of the Tasmanian freshwater crayfishes Astacopsis gouldi Clark, Astacopsis franklinii, Gray and Parastacoides tasmanicus Clark (Decapoda: parastacidae)

TL;DRAbstract

The reproductive biology and life history of the Tasmanian freshwater crayfishes in the endemic genera Astacopsis and Parastacoides were studied in the field and laboratory from April 1985 to May 1987. A. gouldi and A. franklinii are open water species associated with riverine and lacustrine habitats from highlands to coastal plains. The burrowing, semiterrestrial P. tasmanicus occurs in wet heathlands, water courses and highland lakes in the wetter cooler, western half of the state. The three species were studied in representative, relatively undisturbed habitats. The habitats of all three species were typified by low water temperatures, high rainfall and fluctuating water levels. Reproductive morphology and anatomy of Astacopsis and Parastacoides was described in detail. Male and female gonads differ from those of northern hemisphere crayfishes, resembling anatomically the gonads of the Palinuridae. The male gonopores show considerable complexity and variation among genera. Female ge

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