Scott & Jeanette Johnson, Kwajalein Unterwater
Info
Alpheus thompsoni Anker, 2022
Alpheus is a genus of snapping shrimp of the family Alpheidae. This genus contains in excess of 250 species, making this the most species-rich genus of shrimp. Like other snapping shrimp, the claws of Alpheus are asymmetrical, with one of the claws enlarged for making a popping noise
Alpheus thompsoni is one of the bulldozer shrimp and lives in association with a number of different shrimp gobies, including Amblyeleotris fasciata, A. guttata, A. wheeleri, C. tangaroai and Cryptocentrus strigilliceps. The shrimp maintains the burrow by pushing sand out all day. The goby stands guard outside, warning the shrimp or even blocking it inside the burrow when danger approaches.
This new species is named after the author’s friend and colleague, Dr. Andrew Thompson, an expert of ecology and evolution of goby-shrimp symbioses.
Alpheus is a genus of snapping shrimp of the family Alpheidae. This genus contains in excess of 250 species, making this the most species-rich genus of shrimp. Like other snapping shrimp, the claws of Alpheus are asymmetrical, with one of the claws enlarged for making a popping noise
Alpheus thompsoni is one of the bulldozer shrimp and lives in association with a number of different shrimp gobies, including Amblyeleotris fasciata, A. guttata, A. wheeleri, C. tangaroai and Cryptocentrus strigilliceps. The shrimp maintains the burrow by pushing sand out all day. The goby stands guard outside, warning the shrimp or even blocking it inside the burrow when danger approaches.
This new species is named after the author’s friend and colleague, Dr. Andrew Thompson, an expert of ecology and evolution of goby-shrimp symbioses.
