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Systematics, phylogeny and biogeography
RESEARCH ARTICLE

A revision of the Tasmanian endemic freshwater crayfish genus Parastacoides (Crustacea : Decapoda : Parastacidae)

Brita Hansen A B and Alastair M. M. Richardson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 05, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: brita.hansen@utas.edu.au

Invertebrate Systematics 20(6) 713-769 https://doi.org/10.1071/IS05035
Submitted: 2 August 2005  Accepted: 21 September 2006   Published: 15 December 2006

Abstract

The freshwater crayfish genus Parastacoides Clark, 1936 was last reviewed by Sumner (1978). In that review Sumner synonymised several species, reducing the genus to one species, consisting of three subspecies. However, subsequent collections of specimens from previously unsurveyed areas, as well as field studies on habitat partitioning by the subspecies, cast doubt on the taxonomic status that Sumner proposed. Molecular studies suggesting the presence of several genetically distinct populations provided the stimulus for this review. A complete revision of the genus has led to the recognition of two new genera and 14 new species. Keys, descriptions, diagnoses, synonymies and distribution maps of the genera and species are provided. During the course of this study it was discovered that the type specimen attributed to the genus Parastacoides is a specimen of the genus Geocharax Clark, 1936. The name Parastacoides is a junior synonym of Geocharax, and new names for the genera previously described as Parastacoides have been raised.


Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Adam Smolenski, for mentoring me through the DNA analysis. Thanks are due to the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment for providing funds in the form of a Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Fauna Research Grant to assist in this study, and for permitting the collection of specimens within parks and reserves. The many people who assisted in collecting specimens are also gratefully acknowledged.


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