Australocarcinus riparius Davie, 1988 ‒ Australian Hairy River Crab

Species Account

A small, euryhaline, endemic Australian species occurring from the Murray River and Hinchinbrook Island northward to the McIvor River, northeast Queensland. Burrows into muddy banks in estuaries (up to 20 ppt salinity) or under rocks in lowland, coastal fresh waters near the upper limit of tidal influence. Easily distinguished from species of Austrothelphusa by its small size and relatively long, setose (hairy) legs. Body cream to almost black, sometimes with faint purple mottling. — John W. Short, 2026

Image

Specimen collected from Arnot Creek, north of Ingham, Queensland, Australia, John W. Short and Andrew Humpherys, 4 June 1997. Photographed by John W. Short.