Observations on the Life History and Ecology of Anaspides Tasmaniae (Thomson) (Syncarida: Anaspididae)

The Life History of Allanaspides Hickmani Swain, Wilson & Ong, 1971 (Syncarida, Anaspididae)

“…hickmani also resembles A. helonomus in having a consistently female-biased sex ratio (Swain, 2000), which contrasts with a 1 : 1 sex ratio recorded for A. tasmaniae (cf. Swain & Reid, 1983). The female bias in Allanaspides could reflect a greater trappability of females compared to males.…”

“…Paranaspides lacustris also appears to have a life-cycle involving a single annual cohort and a life span of no more than 18 months (Fulton, 1982). In contrast, Anaspides tasmaniae take up to 15 months to reach maturity, and live for up to five years with three separate breeding seasons (Swain & Reid, 1983).…”

“…In Anaspides tasmaniae, hatching occurs in winter or early spring depending on altitude (Swain & Reid, 1983), and probably in early winter in P. lacustris (cf. Fulton, 1982).…”

“…A. tasmaniae is the largest anaspid (>50 mm) with a body designed for benthic crawling and swimming (Swain & Reid, 1983). It is the most widespread of the extant anaspids, occurring in mountain tarns, lakes, upland streams, and cave systems throughout central, southern, and western Tasmania (Williams, 1965;Swain & Reid, 1983).…”

“…It is the most widespread of the extant anaspids, occurring in mountain tarns, lakes, upland streams, and cave systems throughout central, southern, and western Tasmania (Williams, 1965;Swain & Reid, 1983). A. tasmaniae is also a relatively long-lived species, with a life span of up to five years and three separate breeding periods (Swain & Reid, 1983). A. spinulae Williams, 1965 is very similar to A. tasmaniae but is restricted to Lake St Clair (Williams, 1965) and nearby Clarence Lagoon in central Tasmania (Swain, 2000).…”