- Austrogammarus australis
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Austrogammarus australis Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Order: Amphipoda Family: Paramelitidae Genus: Austrogammarus Species: A. australis Binomial name Austrogammarus australis
(Sayce, 1901)Austrogammarus australis, also known as the "Dandenong amphipod" is a species of amphipod crustacean in family Paramelitidae. It is endemic to Australia and until recently thought to be extinct, but surveys conducted in the Dandenong Ranges have revealed small populations.[1] Recent works have been undertaken to improve habitat quality and extend the range of the invertebrate.
Found in the same ecological niche as similar amphipod species, the distinctive "sideways" swimming style and somewhat "hairy" appearance of the amphipod differentiate it. Found in leaf litter at the beginning of small creeks, in at least canopy 75% shade over the water, the species belongs to the shredder feeding guild and occupies the area accordingly, feeding mostly on native detritus and allocthonous materials.
The species' status under the IUCN Red List criteria has not been updated since its rediscovery, and it is still listed as "extinct".[2]
References
- ^ Christopher J. Walsh, Phil J. Papas, Diane Crowther, PuaTai Sim & Jaeyong Yoo (2004). "Stormwater drainage pipes as a threat to a stream-dwelling amphipod of conservation significance, Austrogammarus australis, in southeastern Australia". Biodiversity and Conservation 13 (4): 781–793. doi:10.1023/B:BIOC.0000011726.38121.b0.
- ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1996). "Austrogammarus australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/2425. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
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