''Acetes americanus'' is a small shrimp species in the family

Sergestidae Sergestidae is a family of prawns which have lived since at least the Middle Jurassic (Bajocian/Bathonian). It contains the following genera: *'' Acetes'' H. Milne-Edwards, 1830 *'' Allosergestes'' Judkins & Kensley, 2008 *'' Casertanus'' Bravi ...

found in the western Atlantic Ocean between Brazil and the United States.

Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized: *''A. a. americanus'' Ortmann, 1893 *''A. a. carolinae'' Hansen, 1933

Description

''Acetes americanus'' is a small

pelagic The pelagic zone consists of the water column of the open ocean, and can be further divided into regions by depth (as illustrated on the right). The word ''pelagic'' is derived . The pelagic zone can be thought of as an imaginary cylinder or wa ...

species, reaching lengths of 10–44 mm. The body is elongated and narrow with a white, translucent color and red spots along the base of the abdominal fan. Protruding eye stalks are present.

Distribution and habitat

''A. americanus'' can be found within estuaries and coastal waters of tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. ''Acetes americanus'' reside mainly in Brazil, along the northern coast of the state of São Paulo. ''Acetes americanus'' are attracted to coastal waters with salinities ranging from 22 to 38 and temperatures within 16 to 30 degrees Celsius. The depth range of the species ranges from 0–42 m. Densities vary among years, seasons, and localities within the predicted habitat for the ''Acetes americanus.'' The species is most abundant in shallow waters during the warm summer months.

Ecology

Reproduction

The species uses a typical mating behavior found within most shrimp species. The species undergoes a precopulatory courtship ritual which is through olfactory and tactile cues usually through an indirect sperm transfer.

Predators

''A. americanus'' form part of the diet of the banded drum ('' Larimus fasciatus'') and are principally taken during the times of largest abundance in spring and summer.

Human use

The species is deemed of economic importance within Asian and African countries for human consumption. It is also economically important due to its use of feed for species within the aquaculture industry. Among the six species of shrimp, ''Acetes americanus'' make up 83% of the worldwide shrimp catches.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q4471142 Dendrobranchiata Crustaceans of the Atlantic Ocean Crustaceans described in 1893 Taxa named by Arnold Edward Ortmann