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Palaemonetes varians
Palaemonetes varians (Leach, 1814)
Atlantic ditch shrimp
Palaemonetes varians
photo by FAO

Family:  Palaemonidae (palaemonid shrimps)
Max. size:  3.65 cm TL (male/unsexed); 5.2 cm TL (female)
Environment:  benthic; brackish
Distribution:  Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean: From north-west Europe and western Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Body almost colorless and translucent. Body of females sometimes with greenish chromatophores (Ref. 2793). Occurs in brackish water lakes and shallow coastal lagoons with salinity from 0.9 to 25.3 (Ref. 2745). Prefers stagnant and slow-running waters, irrigation channels and salt marshes (Ref. 2792). Associated with Palaemon elegans and/or Palaemon adspersus (Ref. 2745). Detritivores; with a varied diet characterized by scavenging and opportunistic feeding behavior (Ref. 2838).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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