The Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae) is a species of shrimp in the family Atyidae, found only in caves in the state of Alabama.
| Alabama cave shrimp | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Caridea |
| Family: | Atyidae |
| Genus: | Palaemonias |
| Species: | P. alabamae
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| Binomial name | |
| Palaemonias alabamae (Smalley, 1961)
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Conservation status
editPalaemonias alabamae is listed as an endangered species both on the IUCN Red List,[1] and since September 7, 1988, under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.[2]
Distribution
editThe Alabama cave shrimp is only known from five caves, all in Madison County, Alabama.[3] Shelta Cave is the species' type locality, but viable populations have only been confirmed in Bobcat Cave and the complex comprising Hering Cave, Glover Cave and Brazelton Cave.
Ecology
editP. alabamae occurs in cave pools with silty bottoms.[3] Predators of the Alabama cave shrimp include the southern cavefish Typhlichthys subterraneus, the Tennessee cave salamander Gyrinophilus palleucus, various crayfish species, bullfrogs and raccoons.[3]
Taxonomy
editThe closest relative of the Alabama cave shrimp is the Kentucky cave shrimp, Palaemonias ganteri, which lives in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.[3] The two species can be distinguished by size (P. alabamae being larger than P. ganteri), the longer rostrum in P. alabamae, and the greater number of spines on the rostrum of P. alabamae.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b De Grave, S.; Rogers, C. (2013). "Palaemonias alabamae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T15887A788932. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T15887A788932.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae) species profile". Environmental Conservation Online System. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. October 10, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Jeff Powell (August 29, 2006). "Alabama Cave Shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae). 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved October 10, 2010.