General Description

Rostrum (protrusion of carapace between eyes) long, without marginal setae. Orbital hoods without acute teeth; no teeth between hood and rostrum. Large claw (cheliped) without slit on upper surface. Up to 6.5 cm long.

Biology

Snapping shrimp are renowned for the sharp clicking noise made with the larger claw. This noise can frequently be heard by divers or even through the hull of boats. The click generates a shock wave which stuns prey (other crustaceans) before being captured. Alpheus australosulcatus is rare in Museum collections possibly because it is very cryptic and lives deep in rocky environments.

Distribution

Central Victorian waters.

Habitat

Intertidal and subtidal including under rocks in tidal pools, to depth of 15 m.

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