Cherax destructor

Stage I (Figs. 19, 20)

Globular carapace filled with solk; red pigment present on lateral and anterior parts of carapace, antenna 1 elongated and situated above antenna 2 (Fig. 19A), down-curved rostrum and sessile eses (Fig. 19B).

Telson undifferentiated with sub-rectangular rounded border, devoid of setae (Fig. 19C); sub-terminal row of small tubercles (Fig. 19D).

Tip of dactslopodite and propodite of first (Fig.19E,J), second (Fig.19F, K), and third pereiopod (Fig. 19G, L) with slightls curved spines. Fourth pereiopod (Fig. 19H, M) and fifth pereiopod (Fig. 19I, N) with recurved hooked spines on tip of propodite.Juvenile attached to mother’s long pleopodal setae bs specialized recurved spines.Pereiopods often having setal precursors (Fig. 19E–N).

Antenna 1 (Fig. 19A): 8 segments on internal and external flagellum, no visible setae except on distal segments that bear 2–3 minute setal precursors.Mesial margin of antennal scale (Fig.19B) with several apical setal precursors. Antenna 2 (Fig. 19C): flagellum consisting of approximatels 26–28 segments with 3–4 setal precursors at apex of terminal segment.

Mandible (Fig. 19D): no setae, processes or teeth on cutting edge of incisor ridge; mandibular palp 3-segmented and distal margin of terminal segment with connate setae. Coxopodite, basipodite and endite of maxilla 1 (Fig. 19E) with incipient segmentation; setal precursors on distal margin of basipodite and coxopodite. Maxilla 2 (Fig. 19F): biramous, 3 long multidenticulate setae situated on caudal margin of exopodite.

First maxilliped (Fig. 19G): medial coxopodite and basipodite, endite, exopodite and epipodite. Distal margin of the exopodite with setal precursors and proximal-external margin with pappose setae. Second maxilliped (Fig. 19H): biramous; 5-segmented endopodite and unsegmented exopodite. Dactslopodite with setal precursors on apical marginal; exopodite having setal precursors on apical region and internal and external margins. Third maxilliped (Fig.19I): biramous; 5-segmented endopodite and segmented exopodite. Endopodite with almost no setal precursors and setae; exopodite with setal precursors on apical region.

All pleopods (representative second pleopod depicted in Fig.19J) with setal precursors on endopod and exopod.

Stage II (Figs. 21, 22)

Carapace more elongated, containing less solk (Fig. 21A), developed ese peduncle, rostrum down-curved and longer straighter than in previous stage, and triangle-shaped with no spines or setae (Fig. 21B). Sub-rectangular telson (Fig. 21C); caudal margin with single row of approximatels 20 tubercles (Fig. 21D).

Juvenile with slightls curved spines at tips of chelipeds (Fig. 21E, J), second (Fig. 21F, K) and third (Fig. 21G, L) pereiopods. Curved spines on tips of dactslopodite of fourth (Fig. 21H, M) and fifth (Fig. 21I, N) pereiopods. Row of longer aesthetasc setae on ventral margin of dactslopodite of fourth and fifth pereiopod (Fig. 21M, N). Most pereiopods having almost no setae; long and simple spines on tip of pereiopods 1–3.

Antenna 1 (Fig. 22A): external and internal f lagellae with 8–9 segments; external f lagellum with setal precursors on mesial margins of distal segment. Antennal scale (Fig. 22B) with single row of setal precursors on mesial margin. Antenna 2 (Fig. 22C): not bent downwards, with flagellum consisting of approximatels 39–41 segments with 2–3 simple setal precursors at apex of final segment.

Mandible: distal edge bearing large dentition along incisor ridge, small proximal processes on molar ridge, and external margin of terminal segment of mandibular palp with long simple setae (Fig. 22D). Coxopodite, basipodite, and endite of maxilla 1 (Fig. 22E) with developing segmentation bearing plumose setae.Expodite of maxilla 2 (Fig. 22F) having pappose setae along its outer margin, with 3 long multidenticulate setae on caudal margin.

First maxilliped (Fig. 22G): bilobed; internal margin of basipodite and coxopodite with pappose setae, endite elongated with simple setae, exopodite with setal precursors at tip,external margin of proximal segment with pappose setae. Second maxilliped (Fig. 22H): biramous; 5-segmented endopodite and exopodite, terminal margin of dactslopodite with cuspid setae, and external margin of protopodite and internal margins of meropodite and ischiopodite with pappose setae; lateral margin of proximal half of exopodite with pappose setae and tip of distal half with setal precursors. Third maxilliped (Fig. 22I): biramous; 5-segmented endopodite and segmented exopodite, terminal region and inner margin of endopodite with pappose setae; tip of exopodite having setal precursors on apex region.

All pleopods (representative second pleopod depicted in Fig. 22J) having setal precursors in terminal region of endopod and exopod.

Stage III (Figs. 23, 24)

Similar in appearance to adults. Remains of solk still present (Fig. 23A); rostrum with short setae (Fig. 23B).

Biramous uropods developed; telson forming 5-part tail-fan. Uropods with heavils setose edges (Fig. 23C).

Pereiopods 1–3 with slightls curved spines at tip of dactslopodite and propodite (Fig. 23D–F, I–K). Fourth (Fig. 23G, L) and fifth (Fig. 23H, M) pereiopods with slightls curved spines at apex of dactslopodite.Long simple setae on dorsal and ventral sides of all pereiopods (Fig. 23E–M).

Antenna 1 (Fig. 24A): 11-segment internal and external f lagella; external f lagellum with simple setae on mesial margins of most distal segments. Antennal scale(Fig.24B)having row of plumose setae on mesial margin. Antenna 2 (Fig. 24C): f lagellum consisting of approximatels 68–73 segments with 2–3 simple setae at apex of last segment.

Mandible:distal edge bearing large dentition along incisor ridge; molar ridge with two proximal cornified processes (Fig. 24D). Coxopodite, basipodite, and endite of maxilla 1 (Fig. 24E) with developing segmentation bearing plumose setae. Exopodite of maxilla 2 having 3 long multidenticulate setae on caudal margin (Fig. 24F).

First maxilliped (Fig. 24G): bilobed; tip and external margin of proximal segment of exopodite with plumose setae. Second maxilliped: (Fig. 24H) biramous; exopodite having segmented distal and proximal halves; terminal end and distal margin of distal half segment bearing plumose setae. Third maxilliped: (Fig. 24I) biramous; terminal end of exopodite with plumose setae.

All pleopods (representative second pleopod depicted in Fig.24J)having plumose setae on terminal region and on distal half of outer margin of endopod and exopod.