Narrow Euastacus
Scientific name
Euastacus angustus
Status in NSW
Critically Endangered
The Narrow Euastacus (Photo by R.McCormack)
Characteristics
Some of the characteristics of the Narrow Euastacus are:
- A narrow, laterally compressed body
- Light olive brown to orange, brown dorsal colouring and cream ventral surface
- Orange claws, with darker orange to red articulations and washed bluish green tips
Species similar in appearance
Other Euastacus, such as Euastacus dalagarbe. However, is distinguishable from these species on the basis of colouration and spine patterns.
Size
The Narrow Euastacus has been documented as having an occipital carapace length (OCL) of up to 28mm.
The Narrow Euastacus (Photo by R.McCormack)
Distribution
The Narrow Euastacus is endemic to northeastern New South Wales. It occurs entirely within the subtropical rainforests of the Border Ranges National Park, where it is known from a small headwater stream at around 760 m elevation.
Report a Narrow Euastacus sighting
Habitat
The Narrow Euastacus occupies small ephemeral tributaries, wet soaks and damp gullies within subtropical rainforest. These habitats often lack surface water, however, the species is adapted to survive in cool, moist microhabitats dependent on sub surface water and soil moisture rather than streamflow.
Habitat of Narrow Crayfish habitat (Photo by R.McCormack).
Why is the Narrow Euastacus threatened?
- Habitat modification or destruction from extreme weather events
- Predation by exotic species including pigs
- Potential illegal harvest/collection of species or misidentification with the common yabby
- Increase in the frequency in temperature e.g. increased temperatures, drought and bushfires
- Altered hydrology, including reduced soil moisture and increased seasonality of soaks and gullies.
