Abstract

The Murray River Crayfish, Euastacus armatus, has been in decline over the last century as evidenced by its disappearance in the lower 700 km of the Murray River. The decline in this species is probably due to overfishing and habitat alteration via the installation of dams and locks. Direct sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase mitochondrial gene regions (COII and COIII) allowed intraspecific comparisons between seven populations, demonstrating geographical genetic variation within this species. A specimen of Euastacus yarraensis was used as an outgroup and phylogenetic analyses were used to examine relationships between the populations. The pattern of variation must be seen as preliminary, but there is no evidence for a significant split between the two major river drainages (Murray and Murrumbidgee) occupied by this species. Further genetic studies may be useful for programs to restock the lower Murray and for better regulation of the recreational fishery.

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