Abstract

The occurrence of the microsporidial parasite, Thelohania sp., is reported for the first time from two locations in Victoria and one location in New South Wales, Australia, and these are the second reports of this freshwater crayfish parasite from the southern hemisphere. The first report of Thelohania sp. infestation of freshwater crayfish in the southern hemisphere came from New Zealand, (Quilter, 1976). Infected specimens are recognised by a characteristic milky appearance on the underside of the abdomen. It is likely that Thelohania parasitizes Cherax destructor throughout the five state range of this crayfish. Thelohania spp. have caused considerable ecological and economic damage (up to 30% mortality), among four genera of freshwater crayfish in Europe. The implications of the discovery of Thelohania sp. in Australia and New Zealand strengthens the case for prohibiting the live export of freshwater crayfish from Australasia, (Carstairs, 1975). The import of live freshwater crayfish to Australia is already prohibited in some states·owing to the danger of introducing Aphanomyces sp. (the crayfish plague fungus that has decimated the European freshwater crayfish populations) (Unestam, 1975).

Supplemental Documents

• There are no supplementary documents for this article

Cited By

Citations: