Mysis salemaai forms an important part of the food web, linking the trophic networks of the pelagic and benthic zones. This study examined the current distribution of M. salemaai in Ireland and the species was recorded from eight lakes. This included some previously known one-off records overlooked in distribution reviews and a new record from Lough Derravaragh. Together with its well-documented occurrence in Northern Ireland, this makes ten lakes where the species is known on the island of Ireland. On account of its deep-water habit, M. salemaai has been under-recorded in Ireland, and its distribution may extend to other Irish lakes. There were significant differences in body size in the studied lakes and adults ranged from 11.5 ± 0.01mm in Lough Allen to 15.6 ± 0.01mm in Lough Corrib. The abundance varied significantly and ranged from 0.3 ± 0.1m-3 and 0.5 ± 0.3m-3 in Lough Ree and Lough Derg (respectively) through 1.8 ± 0.5m-3 in Lough Allen to 12.8 ± 4.7m-3 in Lough Corrib. Despite its relatively wide distribution in Ireland, the abundance in most lakes appears low and its status may be under threat from eutrophication, climate change and the introduction of alien species.
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