220 



ANIMALS OF THE SEASHORE 



Fig. 38 

 Palaemonetes vulgaris Say 



Palaemonetes vulgaris Say 



Fig. 38 



(Prawn; Shrimp) 



Usually slightly smaller than Crago and more 

 .translucent and almost colorless. It differs from 

 Crago also by its longer rostrum and by having its 

 first two pairs of legs chelate (equipped with forcep- 

 like pincers) whereas in Crago the first pair is very 

 stout and subchelate. An inhabitant of brackish 

 water and muddy associations rather than the open 

 ocean with Crago. Known from Massachusetts to 

 Florida and along the Gulf Coast. 



Palaemontes carolinus Stimpson 



Occurs with the above but very much rarer. 

 This species is exceedingly difficult to distinguish 

 from P. vulgaris and has the same distribution. The 

 following key from Kemp x will help the student 

 differentiate these two species: 



Outer antennular flagellum with free part of 

 shorter ramus very little longer than fused part. 



1. Records of Indian Museum, vol. 27, pt. 4, p. 317. 



