Australian Crayfish Project
Project No: 100001
The project was started in 2005 and will run to 2017 and probably beyond. The aim of this project is to
collect and identify every species of freshwater crayfish, their distributions and their habitat in Australia. The published research
results will increase the knowledge base on all our species and help to ensure they and their habitats are protected and
conserved for all time. Australia has one of the most diverse range of freshwater crayfish species on the
planet yet there is much confusion with the description and distribution of species and many species remain undiscovered & undescribed.
This projects objectives are:
- To conduct aquatic biological surveys across Australia, sampling as many sites as possible to determine the species present.
- Search for & collect specimens of new species and new distributions across Australia.
- Record each species, habitat, activities & lifecycle.
- Photograph every species to give a photographic record/description of each species.
- Identify every species via taxonomy.
- Identify every species via DNA testing.
- Compile and complete a full DNA data base for all Australian freshwater crayfish species.
- Identify, name and describe all new species collected.
- Investigate and ascertain the distribution of all species and provide population estimates of our rarer species.
- Identify the threats (both current and potential) and the conservation status of all species of
Freshwater Crayfish in Australia.
- Help to Protect and Conserve all species of freshwater crayfish and their habitats.
- Produce a books on the Freshwater Crayfish of Australia.
- Generally increase the profile and knowledge base on freshwater crayfish and their fragile habitat areas.
The Australian Crayfish Project is evolving as it progresses with more support and funding being offered and as more researchers become involved, the scope of the project broadening to
include all freshwater crustacea.
The Australian Crayfish Project is a privately funded program that only continues with the financial support
of crayfish enthusiasts and environmental groups. We accept sponsorship from anyone as every cent helps us help the crayfish and their fragile habitat areas. Every cent helps and is fully tax deductable so if you can sponsor a specific project please drop us an email and help us help the crayfish and the forests in which the live.
We rely on the help and assistance of volunteers so get involved, have a look at
the current projects list and volunteer to help out on specific research
projects. If you have an unusual crayfish in your area let us know, it could be a new species. The project is
discovering dozens of new species or new populations that were never known to exist. Our aim is to find and
identify all species of freshwater crayfish and their habitat, the bottom line is that if no one knows
these species are there and they don’t even have a name then how can they be protected and conserved into the
future? The results of this project will ensure that all management agencies take the crayfish and their
habitat into consideration for future environmental, conservation, development and catchment management plans, etc.
I hope you all recognise and appreciate the unique biodiversity of our Australian Freshwater Crayfish, and
share our concern for the future of so many of the species that are under threat. Our crayfish are only found
in Australia and some of these species have tiny populations in only miniscule areas, once these crayfish are
gone they are gone for all time. Please do your bit to conserve them for all Australians for all eternity.
For further information (Click here) or check out the Newsletters.
2010 Update
The Australian Crayfish Project is a privately funded research project centred on the freshwater crayfish of
Australia. This project commenced in 2005 and is progressing on a State by State basis in 3 stages.
Stage 1. Planning, preliminary biological studies, formation of investigative teams,
sourcing of permits and authorities etc.
Stage 2. The collection, identification, photography and DNA sampling of all known species and
the collection of unknown species of freshwater crayfish and other crustaceans.
Stage 3. Further research, writing up results, compiling information and producing of Field
Guides etc.
As of August 2010 this is the current situation:
NSW
Stage 1 & 2 is complete and we are progressing on stage 3. See projects list (click here) The Freshwater Crayfish of NSW is available (click here). The full Field Guide has moved back into limbo with 2 new Euastacus species in preparation, 3 new Euastacus species proposed for description, one new Cherax species in preparation and one new Cherax proposed, one new Gramastacus species in preparation and one new Tenuibranchiurus species proposed.
Queensland
Stage 1 current
Stage 2 current
Stage 3 ongoing with several papers in preparations.
The Freshwater Crayfish of Queensland is under construction and will go to the printers December 2011. Sorry a whole bunch of new species have been discovered and are proposed for decription. Currently 3 new Cherax and one new Euastacus, are being researched.
Victoria
Stage 1 completed
Stage 2 current
Stage 3 commencing
The Freshwater Crayfish of Victoria is under construction and will go to the printers December 2011. Sorry for the delay but 3 new Euastacus species, 3 new Engaeus, 1 Cherax and 1 Gramnastacus species need description and this has slowed the process.
South Australia
Stage 1 completed
Stage 2 commencing
Western Australia
No progress
Northern Territory
No progress
Tasmania
No progress
Islands of Australia
Frazer Island - Stage 3 completed
Bribie Island - Stage 3 completed
Stradbroke Island - Stage 3
Lord Howe Island - Stage 1 current
Norfolk Island - Stage 3 completed
Kangaroo Island - Stage 1
Flinders Island - Stage 1
King Island - Stage 1
Great Keppel Island - Stage 2
Curtis Island - Stage 2
Research Team
The project team has been working on the Australian Crayfish Project, finding and identifying freshwater
crayfish species across Australia. These team leaders with the assistance of a vast number of students,
volunteers and other researchers are conducting the core research across Australia. Please join a team and help us find critters in your area, local knowledge makes collection so much easier.
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