Photos by Guido Zsilavecz |
Crinoid shrimp
The first known photograph to SURG of this shrimp was taken by Richard in 2002, but as he did not find more individuals, it was forgotten, and unfortunately he did not show it to SURG members at the time. In May 2005 Georgina and Sharon photographed it as well, and not being able to find it in any guide book approached Professor Griffiths of the zoology department at UCT for help in identifying it. The verdict is that it is most likely a new species, probably of the genus Periclemens. It has been found to live exclusively in elegant feather stars (crinoids), Tropiometra carinata, which is common on reefs further out. Here the shrimp hides well camouflaged in the centre of the feather star, and in some areas was found to be common, with nearly every feather star containing at least one individual. As can be seen from the photos, it may have different colour and patterns.
Latest News:
Cedric d`Udekem d`Acoz, the researcher looking at this species, had this to say:
"It is remarkably close to the rare European species Hippolyte leptometrae,
which lives on Leptometra spp. (H. leptometrae also has a colour pattern
similar to striped specimens of your species) However I found at least one significant difference
and your species is clearly a new one."
The shrimps shown were photographed at A-Frame, and are about 2 cm long.
|