commonly known japanese skeleton shrimp species skeleton shrimp relatively large reaching maximum length sexually males usually larger females characterized second segments rows spines bodies body color ranges green red blue depending environment highly turn provide valuable food source fish crabs larger predators usually found dense colonies attached submerged man structures floating organisms native shallow protected bodies water little years invasive species north_atlantic coasts new_zealand believed accidentally introduced areas global maritime traffic outside native range exclusively found large numbers areas human activity ecological economic impact invasive species unknown pose threat native populations skeleton shrimp affected areas description like characterized slender bodies elongated skeletal appearance gives rise common names skeleton shrimp ghost shrimp coupled distinctive upright feeding posture striking resemblance stick insects praying vary coloration translucent pale green brown cream orange deep red purple depending substrate found brood females red spots relatively large sexually males considerably larger females males average length specimens recorded reach length females hand average long body divided parts head abdomen comprises length body divided seven segments known rounded smooth fused highly reduced invisible abdomen attached posterior seventh males elongated second longest densely covered long giving appearance second pairs spines additional pairs sides near base limbs remaining seventh lack dense seven pairs spines fourth pairs seven pairs spines near base gills fifth pairs spines pair spines sides sixth seventh pairs spines situated centers near posterior females differ males having shorter lack dense covering possess single pair spines absent like crustaceans possess pairs antennae outer pair half total length body segments base times long ends antennae segments second inner pair antennae half length possess rows long ventral surfaces segments present anterior ventral surface modified pair serve arise known pairs highly modified known somewhat resemble arms praying segments divided parts fold segment known finger pair considerably smaller second pair arise close inside margins possess spines inner edges second pair large large spines middle upper edges inside margin palm upper spine known poison spine poison tooth size larger lower spine closing spine despite poison spines known perfectly capable inflicting potentially lethal injuries small organisms powerful curved like shape second pair densely covered hair like pair posterior margins fourth absent place pairs elongated oval gills arising fourth respectively mature females brood develop fourth formed expansions basal segments fifth seventh function spines inside margins seventh pair longest pairs followed sixth pair fifth pair closely resemble native east asian waters difficult distinguish species particularly exhibit considerable morphological variations males reliably differentiated second smooth elongated oval shape gills linear taxonomy nomenclature described specimens collected peter great gulf belongs genus subfamily family group highly specialized commonly known skeleton shrimp classified known spine waist skeleton shrimp japanese netherlands belgium invasive populations europe discovered known flemish literally ghost shrimp derived junior synonym invalid applied species initially believed different species humorous reference characteristic males invalid species applied specimens recovered california specimens collected scotland initially determined introduced ecology biology inhabit shallow protected marine bodies water found dense colonies attached submerged artificial structures marine organisms primarily adapt feeding methods depending food availability preyed fish crabs predators generally found temperate regions tolerate water temperatures higher die minutes exposed water temperatures lower end survive temperatures lower rendered altogether state suspended animation tolerance unable survive freshwater habitats native habitats observed survive low sensitive exposure air die hour taken water reproduce year peak seasons summer months males highly aggressive exhibit sexual competition smaller females eggs average female days female brood hatching reach sexual maturity days average lifespan laboratory conditions days males days females habitat native habitat found zones sheltered bodies water depth spend entire lives substrate upright position typically floating branching turf like structures color body camouflage transportation poor swimmers predominantly like fashion posterior generally reluctant let agitated different populations different known exhibit different coloration suggesting change color blend environments exact mechanisms color change remains unknown commonly found native habitats include beds floating like marine plants like genus introduced ranges tend seek organisms exhibit structures slender bodies easily blend include like introduced like tube building like soft bodied like native introduced ranges found communities artificial structures like submerged ropes fishing nets docks equipment oil rig platforms ship hulls offshore wind farms introduced ranges particularly europe primarily exclusively found inhabiting artificial structures reach extremely high introduced range artificial structures survey populations quebec revealed concentrations individuals survey bay scotland reported individuals contrast native habitats reach maximum individuals populations reach peak numbers late summer august september experiencing sharp decline winter months diet predators highly examinations stomach contents reveal highly varied diet depended particular substrate found predominantly remarkable ability adjusting feeding methods filter predators depending conditions environments food particles small organisms water waving bodies forth like second pair antennae extended clean trapped particles bending antennae use antennae food particles surfaces bodies substrate large striking mobile prey known prey organisms include algae capable feeding suspended organic particles including fish feed decaying organic matter known engage behavior dead dying individuals species genus like preyed predominantly fish crabs native habitats predators include shore crab consume large numbers predators include worms sea constitute valuable food source organisms high levels provide important link food chain larger fish addition relative abundance fast growth rates potentially important resource marine fish feed introduced populations major native wild farmed fish reproduction life history wild populations higher number females males related fact females aggressively defended males competing males resulting high male mortality larger sizes greater visibility males vulnerable targets predators rely like fish reproduce year peak seasons summer march july males exhibit sexual competition behavior aggressively engage boxing matches large second pair presence receptive females encounters lethal results poison teeth slice opponent half males repeatedly touch females antennae detect signs like crustaceans females capable mating shortly old hardened lasts minutes males defend females short period minutes period females begin exhibit aggressive behavior drive males bend fourth fifth degree angle openings located fifth aligned opening brood quickly deposit eggs females carrying eggs remain highly aggressive males brooding period indicating maternal behavior intended protect developing embryo male aggression brood female contain eggs averaging eggs larger females tend produce eggs eggs inside brood days hatching like lack stage resemble miniature adults juveniles mothers hatching females continue protect offspring remain close measure grow average mature rapidly average week enter premature stage sexually differentiated fifth cycles longer seventh ninth averaging weeks sexual maturity occur early days later days hatching depending environmental conditions wild populations months juveniles hatched late summer males begin increase size faster rate successive seventh females hand produce brood seventh times adults sexually receptive time death average lifespan laboratory conditions days males days females distribution invasive ecology native regions northwestern asia discovered peter great gulf federal subject russia japanese marine biologist noted present island surrounding regions span years spread parts world multiple accidental introductions primary stepping stone secondary introductions hulls ballast water international maritime traffic equipment shipments pacific genetic studies mitochondrial dna populations reveal high genetic diversity region identifying native range contrast non native populations north_america europe new_zealand poor variation detection genetic material present non native populations probable unknown regions native simply sample groups studies small comparisons different populations possible trace possible routes introduction likely original non native introduction west coast north_america exhibit highest genetic diversity non native populations multiple later introductions happened europe eastern north_america additional populations transported nearby ports europe eastern north_america possible sources population north_america specimens outside native range recovered california martin subspecies named additional specimens treated recovered wasn specimens correctly identified additional specimens discovered oregon populations believed introduced area result pacific japan farming usually transported algae packing material particularly associated populations discovered washington 1970s additional populations noted states oregon california united_states 2000s believed result shipping activities secondary spreading original populations discovered bay alaska instance non native marine species found discovered spread british_columbia canada indicates completely expanded entire west coast north_america surveys mit atlantic coast united_states revealed multiple established populations coastlines connecticut maine year reported new_brunswick quebec canada europe populations europe found netherlands species inventory specimens unknown recovered artificial structures storm surge barrier case discovery north_america initially new species remarking resemblance named later discovered introduced populations new species additional populations detected belgium norway germany scotland england wales ireland france denmark exist extremely dense populations associated areas high human activity believed introduced shipping equipment united_states asia recorded sightings baltic_sea mediterranean_sea new_zealand detected new_zealand port incident reported southern hemisphere established populations found sounds additional specimens recovered hulls vessels ports established colonies ports genetic studies new_zealand populations suggests possibility introduced non native populations atlantic ballast water sea international shipping impact direct environmental economic impacts introduced populations remain unknown provide valuable food sources larger predators particularly fish new_zealand example diet native big belly europe wild farmed fish like common european perch atlantic salmon consume large amounts non native larger sizes aggressive behavior threat native species skeleton shrimp study native populations smaller species region german bight north_sea revealed vanished replaced populations minor economic effects cost removal submerged equipment ship hulls control known effective control measures invasive populations suggested seasonal population fluctuations taken advantage efforts winter months populations dormant lowest numbers potentially effective preventing recovery summer months great difficulty detecting removing control methods likely focus preserving native species populations established
Caprella mutica