Cherax quinquecarinatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cherax quinquecarinatus |
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| Conservation status | |
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Parastacidae
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| Genus: |
Cherax
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C. quinquecarinatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Cherax quinquecarinatus J. E. Gray, 1845
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Cherax quinquecarinatus is a small freshwater crayfish. It is found only in the southwest part of Australia. This crayfish is also known as gilgie or jilgi. For people in that area, gilgies are a food source during certain times of the year. Gilgies live in a special, isolated part of coastal Western Australia. They play a very important role in the ecology of the water systems there.
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About the Gilgie
The gilgie, C. quinquecarinatus, is one of the smallest crayfish in its group, called Cherax. It can grow up to about 130 millimeters long, which is about 5 inches. Their colors can be light brown to almost black.
Gilgies have five ridges on their heads. They also have two pairs of small spines near their snout, called a rostrum. Their tails, or telsons, don't have any spines. Their claws, called chelipeds, are rounded and narrow. They often have speckles on them.
Even though gilgies only live in southwestern Western Australia, they are found in many different places within that area. You can find them in almost any freshwater habitat that has other crayfish. This includes places with the larger marron (Cherax tenuimanus) or crayfish from the Engaewa group.
For a long time, local Indigenous groups, like the Noongar people, have hunted gilgies. They used special ways of hunting that helped protect the environment. This included setting up temporary areas for fishing. They used fishtraps and scoops to gather both marron and gilgies. Different Indigenous groups had their own unique stories and ways of doing this. Their artwork even showed important details about different species and how to harvest them carefully.
In Western Australia, people also fish for gilgies for fun. This is part of what is called "marroning." However, gilgies are not usually caught for selling in stores.
Gilgie Life and Habitat
The gilgie lives in water bodies in southern Western Australia. These can be rivers that always have water or temporary pools.
Surviving Dry Times
Gilgies can survive periods of drought. They do this by burrowing deep into the ground. Then, they enter a sleep-like state called aestivation. This helps them stay alive until water returns.
Where They Live
Gilgies are found in many different places within their region. They can live in permanent lakes. They also live in areas that have water for 5 to 7 months of the year.
They prefer complex and narrow places. This includes silty river beds between fallen trees. Here, they find food and stay safe from animals that might eat them.
Growth and Reproduction
Gilgies shed their outer shell many times as they grow. This process is called moulting. They moult less often as they get older. Gilgies can start having babies when they are about two years old. At this age, they are usually half their full size. They lay their eggs, or spawn, from late winter to early summer.
Protecting Gilgies
Protecting gilgies and other freshwater crayfish in Southwest Australia is very important. This area has been isolated for a long time, making its wildlife unique. However, most efforts to protect crayfish focus on the ones that are caught for money.
Not many studies have looked at the specific threats to gilgies. The region has seen a lot of tree cutting and farming. This has affected the water levels and rivers. Gilgies are sensitive to pollution. Things like oil products and certain chemicals can harm them. They are also known to collect heavy metals in their bodies.
Gilgies are thought to be very important for the health of their environment. They help by eating decaying plants and animals. This helps keep the water clean and adds to the variety of life, or biodiversity. Because they are so sensitive to toxins, gilgies can show if a habitat is polluted.
Some gilgie groups have gotten a sickness called porcelain disease. This disease can threaten entire populations of crayfish.
Gilgies are also used in permaculture gardens in Western Australia. They help ponds and pools stay healthy and balanced on their own.
