Palaemon vulgaris

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Palaemon vulgaris: //pæˈliːmən vʌlˈɡærɪs//

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Summary

Palaemon vulgaris, commonly known as the common American prawn or marsh grass shrimp, is a small shrimp species characterized by its transparency and orange pigmentation. It has been studied for its unique swimming capabilities.

Physical Characteristics

Adults grow to less than 5 cm (2.0 in) long and are transparent except for some orange pigmentation on the eyestalks. Two dorsal rostral teeth are located behind the posterior margin of the orbit, continuing to the tip of the rostrum dorsally.

Identification Tips

Look for the transparent body with orange pigment on eyestalks and the distinctive shape of the rostrum with dorsal rostral teeth.

Habitat

Common in marshy environments in the western Atlantic Ocean, particularly from Cape Cod Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.

Distribution

Western Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Cod Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.

Similar Taxa

Palaemonetes vulgaris
Palaemonetes carolinus