Palaemon serenus, commonly known as the red-handed shrimp, rockpool shrimp, or rock-pool prawn, is a species of marine shrimp in the family Palaemonidae native to southern and eastern Australia.[1] They are omnivores, feeding on algae or scavenging for animal matter.[2][3]

Palaemon serenus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Palaemonidae
Genus: Palaemon
Species:
P. serenus
Binomial name
Palaemon serenus
(Heller, 1862)
Synonyms[1]

Leander serenus Heller, 1862

Description

edit

Measuring up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long, Palaemon serenus has a transparent body with reddish spots and flecks arranged longitudinally along the abdomen and oblique red lines on the carapace. The second pair of legs are elongated, with small white claws and a bright red band near the claws.[2][3] Females are larger than males and carry eggs under the abdomen.[4]

Distribution and habitat

edit

Palaemon serenus can be found in the coastal waters of southern and eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. It inhabits intertidal areas, coastal reefs, and seagrass meadows down to depths of 12 m (39 ft).[3] They can also be found in high salinity zones within estuaries.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b De Grave, Sammy (9 September 2009). "Palaemon serenus Heller, 1862". WoRMS. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Jo; Poore, Gary (2011). "Red-handed Shrimp, Palaemon serenus". Port Phillip Bay Taxonomy Toolkit. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Palaemon serenus (Heller, 1862)". Solitary Islands Underwater Research Group, Inc. 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Palaemon serenus (Heller, 1862), Red-handed Shrimp". Museums Victoria Collections. Museums Victoria. 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2023.