Revison of the Tasmanian genus of freshwater crayfish Astacopsis Huxley (Decapoda : Parastacidae)

Abstract

Astacopsis Huxley is revised by examination of a wide range of morphological characters. The number of species is reduced from four to two by synonymy. Variation in spination is examined in A. franklinii in relation to geographical distribution (based upon the major drainage systems in Tasmania), animal size and habitat; spininess is found to relate predominantly to animal size. The distribution of Astacopsis within Tasmania is greatly extended and previous reports of geographically separate species' boundaries, indicating limited distributions. can no longer be accepted. Synonymies and diagnoses are provided for A. franklinii and A. gouldi, and a key to their identification is presented.