Palaemon pugio

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Palaemonidae
Genus: Palaemon
Species: pugio

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Palaemon pugio: /pæˈliːmən ˈpjuːɡi.oʊ/

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Summary

Palaemon pugio, or daggerblade grass shrimp, is a small shrimp found in estuarine environments in the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, notable for its distinctive physical traits and role in the ecosystem as a forager.

Physical Characteristics

Small, transparent shrimp with yellow coloring and brownish spots; dorsal rostral teeth stop well short of the tip of the rostrum with one dorsal rostral tooth posterior to orbit.

Identification Tips

Look for its smooth carapace and abdomen; distinctive coloration with yellow and brown spots; size around 5 cm (2.0 in).

Habitat

Estuarine and tidal marsh habitats.

Distribution

Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Diet

Forager feeding on a variety of items, including microalgae.

Life Cycle

Typically has a lifespan of around one year.

Predators

Killifish and other small foraging fish.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a forager in estuarine and tidal marsh ecosystems, contributing to the food web.