Studies on the shrimps of the genus Palaemon (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Taiwan

Abstract

Shrimps of five species of the genus Palaemon, family Palaemonidae in Taiwan are described. They are Palaemon (Palaemon) macrodactylus Rathbun, 1902, Palaemon (Palaemon) ortmanni Rathbun, 1902, Palaemon (Palaemon) pacificus (Stimpson, 1860), Palaemon (Palaemon) serrifer (Stimpson, 1860) and Palaemon (Exopalaemon) orientis Holthuis, 1950. The first four species were collected from coastal area of mainly rocky shore and levee. The first and the last species was collected from fish and prawn ponds where it is considered as a serious pest in aquaculture for it's fast reproductive rate and high competition for food and space with the cultured species. In the present paper, the distinctive external characteristics as well as the coloration of each species are fully stated.