Impacts of Burrowing Ghost Shrimp, Genus Lepidophthalmus Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea, on Penaeid Shrimp Culture

Abstract

The burrowing ghost shrimp Lepidophthalmus sinuensis Lemaitre and Rodrigues and Lepidophthalmus bocourd (A. Milne Edwards) have significant impacts on pond‐based culture of penaeid shrimp. Marked abbreviation of the larval cycle, an adaptation for estuarine retention in wild populations, favors accumulation of recruits into the same substrates as the parental population where densities of these burrowers sometimes exceed 650 individuals/m2. Higher densities of burrowing shrimp appear to correlate with lower yields of penaeid shrimp because of oxygen requirements by the thalassinids and also bioturbation effects. Rich sources of organic materials in highly reduced pond substrates can be readily exploited by Lepidophthalmus species due to their physiological adaptations to low oxygen concentrations. Bioturbation and ventilatory movement of water through burrowed sediments by ghost shrimp move reduced nutrients into the water column with potential toxic effects on penaeids. Ultimately, activities of these estuarine burrowers oxidize benthic sediments and cycle nutrients into the water column, the negative impacts of which are probably restricted to aquaculture settings.

On the burrows ofLepidophthaltnus louisianensis (Schmitt 1935) (Decapoda: Thalassinidea: Callianassidae)

“…Using the alternative approach proposed by NICKELL & ATKINSON (1995), features such as 'narrow exhalent shaft' and 'circular tunnel cross section' found in L. louisianensis burrows are indicative for suspension feeders. For L. louisianensis, NATES & FELDER (1998) assumed that the animals derive nutrition from a combination of deposit feeding, plankton filtration and grazing on microbially enriched, encrusted burrow walis. For L. louisianensis, NATES & FELDER (1998) assumed that the animals derive nutrition from a combination of deposit feeding, plankton filtration and grazing on microbially enriched, encrusted burrow walis.…”

“…Most members of the Callianassidae live in marine and brackish environments. The burrowing ghost shrimps have received increased attention recently, as some species occur in large numbers in penaeid shrimp pon&, where they have a negative impact on the cultured shrimps due to their bioturbation activity (NATES & FELDER 1998). The burrowing ghost shrimps have received increased attention recently, as some species occur in large numbers in penaeid shrimp pon&, where they have a negative impact on the cultured shrimps due to their bioturbation activity (NATES & FELDER 1998).…”

Host selection of the symbiotic copepod Clausidium dissimile in two sympatric populations of ghost shrimp

“…They are also typically found in regions of high organic content, which triggers settlement in at least 1 species (Strasser & Felder 1999). They are an important component of the ecosystem, affecting nutrient cycling, sediment turnover rates and benthic community structure, as well as aquaculture through bioturbation (Felder & Griffis 1994, Nates & Felder 1998, Berkenbusch & Rowden 2000. Like many species of ghost shrimp, those in the genus Lepidophthalmus impact penaeid aquaculture by decreasing shrimp production in the ponds (Nates & Felder 1998).…”

“…They are an important component of the ecosystem, affecting nutrient cycling, sediment turnover rates and benthic community structure, as well as aquaculture through bioturbation (Felder & Griffis 1994, Nates & Felder 1998, Berkenbusch & Rowden 2000. Like many species of ghost shrimp, those in the genus Lepidophthalmus impact penaeid aquaculture by decreasing shrimp production in the ponds (Nates & Felder 1998). Lepidophthalmus louisianensis (Schmitt, 1935) is also thought to influence the structure and species composition of natural intertidal habitats due to bioturbating activities (Jackson 1996).…”

“…The highest densities of Lepidophthalmus spp. have typically been found in regions of high organic content in the sediments (Nates & Felder 1998, Nates & Felder 1999. S. trilobata was described from Tampa Bay but has also been reported in Miami and Lemon Bay, Florida (Biffar 1971, Manning & Lemaitre 1993.…”