Palaemonetes cummingi

Palaemonetes cummingi is a species of cave-dwelling shrimp in the family Palaemonidae, known as the Florida cave shrimp or Squirrel Chimney cave shrimp.

Palaemonetes cummingi

Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Order:
Decapoda
Infraorder:
Caridea
Family:
Palaemonidae
Genus:
Palaemonetes
Species:
P. cummingi
Binomial name
Palaemonetes cummingi
Chace, 1954

Description

Palaemonetes cummingi is typically 30 mm (1.2 in) long, and almost colorless. It has a long, serrated rostrum, and no eye pigment.[2]

Distribution and ecology

Palaemonetes cummingi is endemic to a single flooded solutional cave in Alachua County, Florida.[2] The closely related species P. paludosus, is larger (up to 48 mm or 1.9 in) and has second pereiopods noticeably longer than the first.[2]

Conservation

Palaemonetes cummingi is the only cave shrimp to live in Florida. It has only ever been found at a single site, and has not been seen there since 1973.[2] It is listed as a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List,[3] a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act,[4] and critically imperilled by NatureServe.[5] Other caves may exist in the area with undiscovered populations, but urban development around Gainesville, Florida, and the introduction to the caves of the redeye chub, Notropis harperi, both threaten its survival, and the species may already be extinct.[2]

References
  1. De Grave, S. & Rogers, C. (2013). "Palaemonetes cummingi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T15886A788917. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T15886A788917.en.
  2. "Squirrel Chimney cave shrimp, Palaemonetes cummingi" (PDF). Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
  3. Inland Water Crustacean Specialist Group (1996). "Palaemonetes cummingi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996. Retrieved March 28, 2011.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. "Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi) species profile". Environmental Conservation Online System. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. March 28, 2011.
  5. "Palaemonetes cummingi Chace, 1954". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. August 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
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