Texas Cave Shrimp (Palaemonetes antrorum)

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Crabs, shrimp, and lobsters are in the order Decapoda.  Subterranean habitats around the world have their fair share of decapods inhabiting them but I have always been interested in the groundwater shrimp.  North America has a few species and they are all imperiled to differing degrees.  With the cave work that I do, I’ve been excited about photographing any of the native species and I got my chance with Palaemonetes antrorum (family Palaemonidae).  A friend with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service allowed me to photograph a few specimens.  They ranged in size from 1.5-2cm (about 1/2 to 3/4 inches) in total length.  The species is endemic to Texas and the IUCN currently categorizes the Balcones Cave Shrimp or the Texas Cave Shrimp (P. antrorum) as EN (endangered).  After the photoshoot, I had a fair amount of material that I was reasonably happy with.  I’ve posted a number of examples here.