PORT PHILLIP BAY


Shore Prawn 

Palaemon litoreus (McCulloch, 1909)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Carapace smooth, with distinct branchiostegal spine on carapace edge (sometimes set back) and groove usually running back from carapace edge in a shallow arc, or over spine, or, into and over but not past (P. intermedius). Mandibular palp usually of 2 or 3 articles, but may be absent. Propodus of fifth pereopod with several transverse rows of setae on distal part of the posterior margin. First pleopod of male without or with rudimentary appendix interna on endopod.

Walker, T.M. & Poore, G.C.B. (2003) Rediagnosis of Palaemon and differentiation of south-eastern Australian species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae). Memoirs of Museum Victoria, 60, 243-256.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Subclass:
Eumalacostraca
Superorder:
Eucarida
Order:
Decapoda
Suborder:
Pleocyemata
Infraorder:
Caridea
Family:
Palaemonidae
Subfamily:
Palaemoninae
Genus:
Palaemon
Species:
litoreus

General Description

Rostrum reaching slightly beyond, but not far exceeding tip of scaphocerite, broad and straight; with 7-8 dorsal teeth, 2-3 ventral teeth. Flagella of antennule fused for 6-7 articles (one-fifth of length). Fifth segment (carpus) of second leg (pereopod 2) shorter than palm (propodus proximal to finger), not reaching tip of scaphocerite. Saddle stripes of red across back and sides of whole body; less distinct on carapace; palm of pereopod 2 with narrow red band; fingers with similar band half way along. Up to 1.5 cm long.

Biology

These shrimp are active members of the epifaunal community of rock pools and sediments where they scavende for food cleaning up dead fish and shellfish. When disturbed they retreat quickly to the shelter of rocky overhangs and algae.

Habitat

Rocky habitats, 0-3 m depth.

Soft substrates

Seagrass meadows

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern temperate oceans, including southern Australia.

Species Group

Prawns, shrimps, lobsters › Shrimps

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 1813

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Taylor, J.

Dr. Jo Taylor is the Sciences Collections Online Coordinator at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Poore, G.C.B.

Dr. Gary Poore is Principal Curator Emeritus at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Taylor, J. & Poore, G.C.B., 2011, Shore Prawn, Palaemon litoreus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 08 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5519

Text: creative commons cc by licence