The biology of two species of Engaeus (Decapoda : Parastacidae) in Tasmania. II. Life history and larval development, with particular reference to E. cisternarius

Abstract

The life history and larval development of Engaeus cisternarius are described; comparisons with E. fossor are made. Incubation of the eggs and of the young lasts about 6 months, between spring and autumn. The number of eggs carried by the females increases with the length of the cephalo- thorax, but E. cisternarius carries fewer eggs than similarly sized E. fossor. Mature females moult in early spring and late autumn.