Eco-phenotypic growth in juvenile smooth marron, Cherax cainii (Decapoda: Parastacidae)

Abstract  The smooth marron, Cherax cainii Austin, now occurs in regions of Western Australia that are warmer and drier than those of the natural distribution. Animals sourced along a south to north geographical axis decrease in body mass per unit length. Juveniles reared from gravid females sourced from four sites along this axis were raised in common laboratory conditions for 14 weeks. No differences between sites were observed in body mass, standardised for length, indicating that in situ differences are a phenotypic response to local conditions.