Biological Observations on the Commensal Shrimp Paranchistus armatus (H. Milne Edwards) (Crustacea

Some aspects of the biology of the commensal pontoniine shrimp, Paranchistus armatus (H.Milne Edwards), on the Great Barrier Reef, are reported.The species is an obligatory commensal living as heterosexual pairs only in the giant clam, Tridacna gigas (L.).Features of the morphology, fecundity, population structure, infection rate, and reproductive mechanisms are described.It is considered possible that the species shows indications of serial male protandrous hermaphroditism, not previously noted to occur in shrimps of the subfamily Pontoniinae.It may also be considered an endangered species as its host animal is under threat

Biology · Crustacean · Decapoda · Fishery · Shrimp · Zoology · Crustacean biology and ecology · Marine and fisheries research · Marine Biology and Ecology Research