Lysmata californica
(Stimpson, 1866)
red rock shrimp, lined shrimp
Lysmata californica is a caridean shrimp to the East Pacific, commonly known as the red rock shrimp or lined shrimp. It inhabits shallow coastal of Southern California where it plays a role in . The species has been studied for its behavioral responses to environmental stressors including ocean acidification and warming.

Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lysmata californica: /lɪsˈmɑːtə ˌkælɪˈfɔːrnɪkə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
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Habitat
Shallow coastal marine of Southern California. Seasonal and long-term changes in ocean pH and temperature are documented environmental factors in this .
Distribution
East Pacific; specifically recorded from coastal waters of Southern California. GBIF records also indicate presence in New Zealand, though this may represent introduction or misidentification.
Life Cycle
Molting is a critical life ; postmolt recovery periods have been studied under varying environmental conditions.
Behavior
Postmolt behaviors including feeding, cleaning , and startle responses have been assessed in research contexts. These behaviors may be altered under ocean acidification and warming conditions.
Ecological Role
Described as a in Southern California's shallow coastal , suggesting functional importance in local .
More Details
Taxonomic Note
placement has varied between sources: Lysmatidae (GBIF, iNaturalist, Catalogue of Life) and Hippolytidae (NCBI, original Wikipedia description). This reflects ongoing taxonomic revision in caridean shrimp .
Research Context
A 2025 conference abstract (later withdrawn) investigated postmolt behavioral responses to combined pH (8.1 and 7.7) and temperature (12°C and 15°C) conditions over 50-day exposure periods. The withdrawal of this abstract limits confirmation of specific findings.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- The Big 43: The California Native Plants, Plus One, Studied in UC Davis Research | Bug Squad
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- Bembicid Holdings | Entomology Research Museum
- Postmolt behavior of red rock shrimp, Lysmata californica, exposed to ocean acidification and warming conditions