Macrobrachium lar (Giant Jungle Prawn)
Species Account
The most wide-ranging species of the genus, Macrobrachium lar shows a predominantly insular distribution across the Indo-West Pacific region from east Africa to French Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands (introduced). Within Australia, it is restricted to northeast Queensland. An amphidromous species which prefers deeper, well-oxygenated pools below waterfalls and riffles. Juveniles may be found in inshore, estuarine and lowland fresh waters. Dominant males are easily recognised by the long second chelipeds with a wide gape between the fingers and a large triangular tooth on both cutting edges. A large species reaching 195 mm in length. The eggs are small (0.6 mm) and numerous. — John W. Short, 2026
Image
Developing male from the upper Annan River near Cooktown, northeast Queensland, Australia, John W. Short, June 1997. Photographed by John W. Short.