Species Profiles. Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). GRASS SHRIMP

摘要

This species profile summarizes much of the literature published about the biology of grass shrimp, Palaemonetes spp. Five species (P. pugio, P. vulgaris, intermedius, P. paludosus, and P. kadiakensis) are common in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, although the last two are primarily freshwater forms. The brackish-water species are among the most abundant shallow-water benthic decopods in estuaries and play important roles as food for fishes and as transporters of nutrients among various trophic levels. They spawn from spring to autumn and the growth of planktonic larvae is normally completed n 7 to 12 molts. Postlarvae of 7-10 mm are 1.5 to 2 months old. The life span of grass shrimp is 6 to 13 months (maximum size rarely exceeds 50 mm). Palaemonetes spp. are eurythermal, euryhaline, and are relatively tolerant to hypoxia and a variety of pollutants. Grass shrimp feed on detritus, epiphytes,and meiofauna. They tend to concentrate near underwater structures and plants, especially in dense stands of underwater macrophytes. (Author)