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21-04-2021
Column: Nature Notes - SPINY BUSHWALKERS
Column: Nature Notes - SPINY BUSHWALKERS
Crayfish are crustaceans, part of the phylum Arthropoda - invertebrates with segmented bodies, jointed legs and exoskeletons. Freshwater crayfish are ancient species with fossil records of Gondwana tracing them to the Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago).
They grow to a length 100-130mm with a prominent spiny tail; outer edge of claw armed with a series of spines; inner edge of wrist of claw also has two prominent spines; moveable finger of claw has one to four spines at base.
Spiny crayfish are slow growing and long lived (possibly 40 years plus) and late to reach sexual maturity with a relatively low reproductive rate. Because exoskeletons cannot stretch, they need to moult to grow.
Crayfish eat invertebrates, algae and decaying material and play an important role in keeping streams clean
and healthy.
Although famous for its bright blue and white colouring, there are colour variations of body and claws in individuals and populations which are a result of the distribution and different drainages

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