Alpheus

Common Names

Alpheus species are commonly known as snapping shrimp, pistol shrimp, or clicker shrimp. These names stem from the characteristic snapping sound produced by their dominant claw.

Characteristics

Snapping shrimp are typically small to medium-sized crustaceans, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters in length. They are characterized by their asymmetric claws, with one much larger and more robust than the other. This larger claw, known as the "snapping claw," is specialized for producing a loud snapping sound.

The snapping mechanism is fascinating. The claw has a fixed finger and a movable finger that can be rapidly snapped shut. When the finger closes, it creates a cavitation bubble that collapses with a loud snap, generating pressures up to 1,000 pounds per square inch. This powerful force can stun or kill prey, as well as create a shock wave that can be felt by other organisms.

Alpheus species exhibit a range of colors, from browns and tans to bright oranges and yellows. They often have distinctive patterns and markings on their bodies.

Environments

Snapping shrimp are found in a wide variety of marine environments, including:

• Coral reefs
• Seagrass meadows
• Rocky shores
• Sandy bottoms
• Mangrove forests
• Deep-sea trenches

They are often found in burrows or crevices, and may live in symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such as gobies.

References

For more information on Alpheus, refer to the following resources:

• World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
• Snapping Shrimp: Biology, Ecology, and Acoustics
• Alpheus: A Review of the Genus with New Species from the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific