Longbody Snapping Shrimp
Alpheus species 6
Longbody Snapping Shrimp
Alpheus species 6
undescribed
Description
A small brown shrimp with a narrow elongated appearance.
The carapace Is pale brown with a mottled brown pattern on the dorsum and side where it becomes more diagonally oriented but still fragmented.
The abdomen: the thoracic segments are pale brown. On the dorsum, there is a repeating pattern of of a fine brown-outlined rectangle enclosing a brown patch on a pale background. Laterally there is a line of brown patches, triangular with the apex pointing downwards.
Brown patches surround the eyes but the rostrum and antennae are brown.
The pincers are white with three brown bands. The chelate second legs and walking legs are almost transparent with whitish joints.
The tail fan is white with brown centred scutes.
Identifying Features
Similar Shrimps
none.
Nomenclature
Undescribed species, no records apart from ours from the Solomon Islands.
Ecology
HABITAT
Preferred substrate
They prefer a substrate of silt containing some vegetable matter and coarse sand and shell particles.
Depth range
5 to 15 metres
Proximity to reef
In very sheltered waters on the lagoon side of outer reefs in an area of fine silt and coral rubble. Found in an area of turbid water on a sandy slope away from the reef edge.
NATURAL HISTORY
An uncommon shrimp working in a habitat more suited to more robust shrimps.
Distribution
Published distribution: none
Our records:
Solomon Islands; Kolombangara Island.
Australia; Lizard Island, Low Isles.
Associated Goby species
Associated Shrimpgobies (two species)
Psiligobius species, Unidentified Goby
Vanderhorstia phaeosticta, Yellowfoot Shrimpgoby