Major Group: Crustacea Minor Group: Malacostraca Order: Decapoda Family: Parathelphusidae (formerly Sundathelphusidae) Genus: Austrothelphusa (formerly Holthuisana) This family is represented in Australia by a single genus, Austrohelphusa Bott.
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Descriptive Features: carapace subovate to quadrilateral, occasionally quadrate, usually wider than long, dorsal surface usually smooth, rarely setose
carapace regions more or less distinct, branchial regions often noticeably swollen, gastro-cardiac groove distinct
epigastric and postorbital cristae sharp to almost absent
front usually entire, often with median triangle well defined or discernible
antero- and posterolateral margins well demarcated, anterolateral margin usually prominently convex, margin usually with at least one tooth (epibranchial), rarely obsolescent, often with 2-3 teeth (excluding external orbital tooth), rarely appearing serrate
3rd maxillipeds completely closing buccal cavity
mandibular palp 3-segmented, terminal segment clearly bilobed, although one lobe slightly smaller than other
male and female abdomens with 7 free segments, male abdomen subtriangular to distinctly T-shaped with last 3-4 segments very narrow
terminal segment always simple or may appear dilated, never with prominent spines, setae and/or processes
2nd gonopod relatively short, rarely longer than ½ of 1st gonopod
Carapace width: up to 50 mm |
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Austrothelphusa transversa |
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Austrothelphusa sp. |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species Austrothelphusa agassizi Rathburn Austrothelphusa angustifrons Milne Edwards Austrothelphusa raceki Bishop Austrothelphusa tigrina Short Austrothelphusa transversa Martens Austrothelphusa valentula Riek Austrothelphusa wasselli Bishop |
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Distribution: NSW, NT, Qld, SA, WA Most species occur only in Queensland, but Austrothelphusa transversa is widespread.
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 3 (as Sundathelphusidae)
Functional Feeding Group: gathering collectors |
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Jacobs Creek, SA |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Austrothelphusa occurs in rivers, creeks, waterholes, springs, swamps and temporary ponds. Adults burrow up to 1m in swampy ground or into the stream banks. Feeding ecology: Austrothelphusa crabs are omnivores. Habit: Adults can survive several years of drought by plugging their burrows with clay. Life history: Austrothelphusa does not have a planktonic larval stage. Young miniature crabs hatch from large eggs and are carried around by the female for several days.
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Information Sources: Davie 2002b, Williams 1980, Hawking & Smith 1997 Key to Species: Horwitz 1995 |
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