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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(8)

Phylogeographic structure of a freshwater crayfish (Decapoda : Parastacidae : Cherax preissii) in south-western Australia

Gavin Gouws A B D , Barbara A. Stewart B and Savel R. Daniels C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

B Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Terrace, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.

C Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.

D Corresponding author. Email: ggouws@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 57(8) 837-848 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF05248
Submitted: 13 December 2005  Accepted: 6 October 2006   Published: 28 November 2006

Abstract

Although phylogeographic patterns of freshwater decapods elsewhere in Australia are well documented, little is known of the phylogeography and biogeography of the endemic freshwater fauna of south-western Australia. Here, the phylogeographic structure of a freshwater crayfish, Cherax preissii Erichson, 1846, was investigated to determine contemporary and historical patterns of gene flow and to examined evolutionary and biogeographical scenarios. Allozyme and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial DNA data were collected from 15 populations, sampled across the known C. preissii distribution. Both markers revealed a clear distinction and separation among populations occurring in the north-western and southern portions of the distribution. Inferences of allopatric fragmentation and molecular dating attributed the divergence of the aquatic fauna of these regions to periods of Pliocene–Pleistocene aridity. Connectivity appeared to be greater within each of these regions. Evidence suggested contemporary, but not ongoing, gene flow, particularly within the southern region. This was possibly facilitated by dispersal during pluvial Pleistocene periods or drainage connectivity during episodic marine regressions. The divergence and distributions of these lineages parallels patterns seen in other freshwater crayfish of the region. More explicit investigation of these and further fine-scale phylogeographic studies may contribute to the understanding of biogeography and evolution in the south-west, and may further refine currently recognised biogeographical regions.

Additional keywords: allozymes, biogeography, COI mtDNA, NCA.


Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a research grant from the University of Western Australia (UWA). Collections were made under permits issued by the Government of Western Australia’s Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). We gratefully acknowledge the field and laboratory assistance provided by Geraldine Janicke and Anna Price (Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management) and Dr Bettine Jansen van Vuuren and Hein van der Worm (Evolutionary Genomics Group). We thank the latter institution for the use of their molecular laboratory facilities and the Western Australia Government’s Department of Agriculture – Albany Office for the use of laboratory space for completion of the allozyme work. We are grateful for the discussion, input and suggestions provided by the population genetics group at the School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia.


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