Hairy marron  (Cherax tenuimanus)

Description

One of the largest freshwater crayfish in the world, this hairy-shelled species has jet black pinchers and a paler olive-green to brown body. The underside is brown and females have areas of red colouration on the underside and some splashes of purple (3). The head and internal organs of all crayfish are protected by the carapace and the six segments of the abdomen are individually encased with a flexible membrane between them to allow movement. Crayfish have a pair of large pinchers at the front end, followed by four pairs of walking legs and then four pairs of small swimming legs called swimmerets. These swimmerets are covered with fine hairs to which the female attaches her eggs. A central tail flap is surrounded by four other flaps that are used to move the crayfish rapidly through the water, as well as curling up to form a brood chamber in females. There are two eyes on the end of eyestalks, but the senses of touch and taste are far more important. These are perceived using a pair of large feelers (or antennae) and a pair of small, fine, centrally located feelers (or antennules) (3).

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