(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - shrimp, ghost
OTHER COMMON NAMES - ghost shrimp, crawfish, mud prawns, burrowing shrimp, red ghost shrimp and orange mud shrimp
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Aquatic Crustaceans
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Crustacea,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Decapoda,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Callianassidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Callianassa,
SPECIES AND SSP - californiensis,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Callianassa californiensis
AUTHORITY - Dana
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 17
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Commercial
Commercial/bait
See Comments
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 17
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Although ghost shrimp are harvested as bait along the entire west coast
of the United States, they are considered by some to be important pests of
commercial oyster-growing operations in the Pacific Northwest. They are
believed to destabilize the substrate, smother oysters with debris, and
drain off water (through their burrows) from diked oyster beds *17*.
Ghost shrimp are harvested by commercial bait fishermen and recreational
fishermen in California, Oregon, and Washington *17*.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 17
LAND USE -
Water
Bays and Estuaries
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 17
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Estuarine FL2 2
Estuarine FL3 2
Estuarine, intertidal FL2 2
Estuarine, intertidal FL3 2
Estuarine FL2 3
Estuarine FL3 3
Estuarine, intertidal FL2 3
Estuarine, intertidal FL3 3
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 17
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Ghost shrimp live in burrows in the intertidal sand or mudflats of west
coast bays and estuaries. Entrances to ghost shrimp burrows may be
observed in the center of small conical hills of sand and small pebbles.
The ghost shrimp digs tunnels branching in all directions, forming complex
burrows with various numbers of openings *17*.
Ghost shrimp are common residents of eelgrass beds in the Pacific Northwest
*17*.
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Goby: Clevelandia ios (c)
Pea crabs: Scleroplax granulata, Pinnixa franciscana, P. schmitti (c)
Clams: Cryptomya californica (c)
Copepods: Hemicyclops callianassae, Clausidium vancouverense (c)
Shrimp: Betaeus ensenadensis (c)
Polynoid worms: Hesperonoe spp. (c)
Isopods: unidentified (p)
c = commensal
p = parasitic
REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 17
COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
The ghost shrimp is associated with a variety of commensal and parasitic
species *17*.
The ghost shrimp can alter the physical characteristics of the habitat it
occupies and affect the composition of the intertidal infaunal community
*17*.
By aerating the subsurface sediment and digging burrows protected from most
predators, ghost shrimp provide an environment attractive to commensals.
Commensal and parasitic species associated with these shrimp include a blind
goby, three species of pea crabs, two species of clams, a copepod, a shrimp,
polynoid worms, and isopods *17*.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
DETRITIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 17
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Plankton Not Applicable
General Detritus Not Applicable
General Detritus - Organic Not Applicable
General See Comments; Food Not Applicable
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 17
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
This species sifts most of its food directly from the substrate and tunnels
almost constantly, reworking the sediment to a depth of about 75 cm (30
inches) in search of food *17*.
The ghost shrimp was once thought to feed exclusively by sifting organic
detritus from the floor of its burrow through the hairs on the second and
third pairs of legs, rejecting coarse material, and then ingesting the
retained fine particles by the use of the maxillipeds. And although it is
still thought to obtain most of its food in this manner, there is evidence
that it also filters detritus and plankton from the water moving through its
burrow as does the blue mud shrimp. Rejected material is deposited outside
the burrow. Burrowing activity is heaviest in the upper 45-50 cm (18-20
inches), where the availability of food is greatest. The burrowing and
feeding behavior of the ghost shrimp is vigorous enough to cause
substantial alterations in surface sediment charateristics over time,
decreasing organic content and shifting the particle size distribution
upwards. Sediment in dense ghost shrimp beds often has a soft, quicksand
quality. The burrowing activity aerates the subsurface soil *17*.
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
LIM
LIM
LIM
LIM
LIM
LIM
LIM
G Dissolved Oxygen: Specified in Comments
G Substrate: Mud or silt
G Substrate: Sand
G Substrate: Specified in Comments
G Relation to Substrate: Occurs in substrate [penetrating]
G Relation to Substrate: Specified in Comments
G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Mud or silt
G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Sand
G Stability of Bottom: Unstable
G Aquatic Vegetation [specified type]: Specified in comments
G Soil Depth: 10-20 inches
G Soil Profile: Specified in Comments
G Terrestrial Features: Burrows
G Coastal Features: Mudflats
G Coastal Features: Specified in Comments
G Estuarine habitat zone: bay
G Estuarine habitat zone: specified in comments
J Currents: tidal
J Currents: specified in comments
L Currents: tidal
L Currents: specified in comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 17
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 17
REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 17
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 17
REFERENCES FOR LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 17
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
TEMPERATURE
The optimal temperature range for ghost shrimp appears to be 10 to 13
degrees C, depending on depth below the surface. Egg-bearing females seem
to prefer the cooler water at the greater depths; immature specimens are
found higher up in the burrow *17*.
SALINITY
Ghost shrimp tend to be most abundant at the seaward end of bays with
substantial freshwater inflow and tolerate salinities from about 25% to
125% the salinity of normal seawater (33ppt). Blood salinity changes along
with water salinity. In a laboratory test, salinities of 8-9 ppt were
lethal to 75%-100% of ghost shrimp. Activity of ghost shrimp decreased
with decreasiong salinity between 33 and 10 ppt *17*.
OXYGEN
Oxygen availability is no doubt a limiting factor for all intertidal
species, including the ghost shrimp. In one study, measured oxygen levels
in burrows during ebb tide were occasionally zero. Under laboratory
conditions, the ghost shrimp can survive anoxia (lack of oxygen) for 5.7
days, which is far longer than they would normally be subjected to anoxia
in the environment *17*.
Ghost shrimp are able to lower their metabololic rate once oxygen levels
become critically low. Studies of the ghost shrimp have demonstarted the
following adaptations to hypoxia/anoxia: when oxygen levels become low,
heart rate is lowered; a respiratory pigment, hemocyanin liberates more
bound oxygen to the tissues; and the shrimp is able to switch to an
alternate, anaerobic metabolism *17*.
CONTAMINANTS
The effects of spilled oil on ghost shrimp colonies in Willapa Bay,
Washington have been studied. It was concluded that small amounts of oil
carried in on the tides and temporarily stranded in intertidal areas are
unlikely to have a serious long-term impact. However, stranded oil that is
buried by a subsequent deposition of oil-free sediment creates a barrier to
burrowing activity that can be expected to persist for years. It was also
concluded that the burrowing activity of the shrimp contributes to the
introduction of oil into the sub-surface *17*.
VEGETATION
The ghost shrimp is a common resident of eelgrass beds in the Pacific
Northwest *17*.
RELATION TO SUBSTRATE
Burrowing activity is heaviest in the upper 45-50 cm (18-20 inches), where
the availability of food is greatest. The burrowing and feeding behavior
of the ghost shrimp is vigorous enough to cause substantial alterations in
surface sediment characteristics over time, decreasing organic content and
shifting the particle size distribution upwards. Sediment in dense ghost
shrimp beds often has a soft, quicksand quality. The burrowing activity of
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
the ghost shrimp aerates the subsurface soil *17*.
HUMAN ASSOCIATION
Harvested as bait both commercially and recreationally. Controlled with
pesticide in some states on commercial Japanese oyster grounds *17*.
COMMENTS ON LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
In a laboratory test, salinities of 8-9 ppt were lethal to 75%-100% of
ghost shrimp. Activity of ghost shrimp decreased with decreasiong salinity
between 33 and 10 ppt *17*.
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Egg-bearing females seem to prefer the cooler water at the greater depths;
immature specimens are found higher up in the burrow *17*.
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Egg-bearing females seem to prefer the cooler water at the greater depths;
immature specimens are found higher up in the burrow *17*.
Recruitment to the estuary is probably facilitated by flood tides occurring
in late summer and fall *17*.
COMMENTS ON LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
TIDES
Zoeal larvae are usually released on ebb tides in June and July *17*.
Environment Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
MORPHOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION AIDS
Comparing ghost shrimp (Callianassa californiensis) with the blue mud shrimp
(Upogebia pugettensis):
The head and thorax of the ghost and blue mud shrimps are united into a
cephalothorax. Like that of other arthropods, this cephalothorax is covered
by a carapace or exoskeleton of hard, chitinous material that is shed
(molted) periodically to allow for growth. The gills are located in special
chambers at the sides of the thorax under the carapace. The blue mud shrimp
has a large rostrum (forward extension of the carapace) and cylindrical eye
stalks; the ghost shrimp has no rostrum or a small one and flattened eye
stalks. Both have external mouthparts (maxillipeds) and antennae.
Hair-like structures cover much of the shrimps' bodies and serve such
functions as receiving sensory stiumli, obtaining food, cleaning self,
creating water currents, and cleaning and carrying eggs *17*.
Both shrimps have five pairs of thoracic legs (periopoda). The first pair
of legs may be slightly unequal and only somewhat pincerlike (subchelate),
and the rest, simple as in the blue mud shrimp; or, the first pair may be
very unequal and very pincerlike (chelate), the second pair also pincerlike,
and the fifth pair somewhat pincerlike as in the ghost shrimp. The
asymmetry of the first pair of legs characteristic of the ghost shrimp is
more pronounced in males, and the larger cheliped (pincer leg) may be on
either the left or the right side *17*.
Both shrimps have five pairs of leaflike abdominal appendages (pleopods) or
swimmerets. They also have flattened tail appendages (uropods) adapted for
swimming. The blue mud shrimp has a short, square telson (terminal
segment); the ghost shrimp has a longer, more pointed one *17*.
These two shrimps can be distinquished from each other on the basis of the
differences in the first pair of legs and color. The blue mud shrimp is
usually dirty blue-green and the ghost shrimp varies from white to pink,
red, and orange *17*.
The carapace of the ghost shrimp is often transparent enough to allow
observation of its internal organs, making it an interesting study specimen.
There are other Callianassa species besides the ghost shrimp on the west
coast; however, only one, C. gigas, is similar in distribution, habitat,
and habits. Callianassa gigas is larger than the ghost shrimp (125-150 mm
(5-6 inches) long). And although the females and juveniles of these two
species are similar in appearance, the large cheliped of the C. gigas male
is longer and narrower than that of the male ghost shrimp *17*.
BEHAVIOR
The ghost shrimp digs tunnels branching in all directions, forming complex
burrows with various numbers of openings. The second and third pairs of
legs are used for digging and the fourth and fifth for cleaning tis
appendages, gills, and back, and for cleaning and manipulating its eggs.
The third, fourth, and fifth pairs of legs are used in walking; the fourth
pair is extended outward against the burrow wall for support. The
swimmerets of the ghost shrimp constantly circulate water through the
burrow, facilitating respiration. Its tail-fan can be used (probably
protectively) to block the burrow. The large cheliped of the male is a
weapon used in disputes over territory and during the mating season *17*.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
DEVELOPMENT OF EGGS AND LARVAE
Female ghost shrimp are ovigerous (capable of producing fertile eggs)
throughout the year, but the principal spawning season is in late June and
early July. Intensive breeding probably begins in spring, but ovigerous
females may still be plentiful as late as August. Spring warming appears to
be the trigger for egg development. Three to four broods are produced at
about 6-week intervals. The larvae develop as plankton in coastal waters
through five zoeal stages, which are distinguishable from one another
primarily on the basis of size. A total of 6-8 weeks is spent as nearshore
oceanic plankton (through the five zoeal and one megalopal stage); zoeal
larvae are usually released on ebb tides in June and July, and the first
megalopae appear in early August. Recruitment to the estuary is probably
facilitated by flood tides occurring in late summer and fall. Larval
drifting during this planktonic phase very likely serves as a mechanism of
genetic exchange among populations in different estuaries *17*.
POSTLARVAL DEVELOPMENT
Juvenile ghost shrimp are presumed to metamorphose rapidly to a state
adapted for life on the bottom just before recruitment to the estuary.
Mortality due to predation is probably substantial during the short period
(minutes to hours) between the moment the organism drops to the substrate
and its successful burrowing beneath the surface *17*.
LIFE SPAN
The lifespan of the ghost shrimp has been variously estimated at 3-5 years,
10 years, and 15-16 years *17*.
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS
Length of adults is typically 5-10 cm (2-4 inches). However, length may
reach 11.5 cm (4.5 inches). Ghost shrimp mature at 18-24 months and some
reproductive females may be less than 3 cm (1.2 inches) long. Estimated
growth in length averages approximately 15-30 mm/yr (0.6-1.2 inches/yr).
Density within a ghost shrimp colony and the colony's location appear to
influence both growth and size at sexual maturity. Ghost shrimp in the less
dense colonies closest to the ocean grow faster, and the females become
sexually mature at larger sizes and produce more and larger eggs *17*.
Densities of ghost shrimp have been estimated at 700-1,400/m^2 (2.8-5.6
million/acre), in Yaquina Bay Oregon; 420-770/m^2 (1.7-3.1 million/acre)
in high-density areas of Sand Lake Estuary, Oregon; and less than 33lm^2
(1.2 million/acre) in other areas on the Oregon coast. Biomass sometimes
exceeds 2.0 kg/m^2 (18,000 lb/acre (wet weight)) *17*.
FEEDING HABITS
The ghost shrimp was once thought to feed exclusively by sifting organic
detritus from the floor of its burrow through the hairs on the second and
third pairs of legs, rejecting coarse material, and then ingesting the
retained fine particles by the use of the maxillipeds. And although it is
still thought to obtain most of its food in this manner, there is evidence
that it also filters detritus and plankton from the water moving through its
burrow as does the blue mud shrimp. Rejected material is deposited outside
the burrow. Burrowing activity is heaviest in the upper 45-50 cm (18-20
inches), where the availability of food is greatest. The burrowing and
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
feeding behavior of the ghost shrimp is vigorous enough to cause
substantial alterations in surface sediment charateristics over time,
decreasing organic content and shifting the particle size distribution
upwards. Sediment in dense ghost shrimp beds often has a soft, quicksand
quality. The burrowing activity aerates the subsurface soil *17*.
COOPERATION AND COMPETITION
By aerating the subsurface sediment and digging burrows protected from most
predators, ghost shrimp provide an environment attractive to commensals.
Commensal and parasitic species associated with these shrimp include a blind
goby, three species of pea crabs, two species of clams, a copepod, a shrimp,
polynoid worms, and isopods *17*.
Species that might compete with these shrimp for either food or space are
rare in ghost shrimp colonies because of the continual reworking of the
sediment by this species *17*.
PREDATION
Although ghost shrimp typically inhabit deep burrows, they are susceptible
to predation by other animals because they sometimes venture outside their
burrow entrances. Under test conditions, ghost shrimp spent over 25% of
the time within 2 cm of the burrow entrance. The shrimp were also observed
to move from one burrow to another and were often found with part of an
appendage exposed above the surface *17*.
The seaward boundary of dense shrimp beds coincided with a fourfold seaward
increase in the density of the major predator, the Pacific staghorn sculpin
(Leptocottus armatus) in Coos Bay, Oregon. Caging experiments in Coos Bay
indicated that predation by this fish, which was most intense in summer,
probably restricts the seaward distribution of ghost shrimp *17*.
Ghost shrimp are sometimes killed by the leopard shark, Triakis
semifasciata, and by the brown smooth-hound shark, Mustelus henlei. The
leopard shark, whose range extends north to Oregon, apparently can shovel or
burrow into the substrate to pray on benthic species. Dungeness crabs are
known to eat ghost shrimp, but the shrimp does not appear to be a major
component of the crab's diet. Sea-run cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki clarki)
also commonly eat ghost shrimp, but are not considered a major predator. It
has been suggested that intertidally foraging birds may occasionally eat
ghost shrimp *17*.
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Foraging Strategy: Filtering
Foraging Sites: Underground burrows
Breeding/Spawning Season: June
Breeding/Spawning Season: July
Breeding/Spawning Season: August
Number of Broods/Litters (Reproductive Efforts) Per Ye
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 17
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Existing Applying insecticides
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 17
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 17
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 17
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The ghost shrimp can alter the physical characteristics of the habitat it
occupies and affect the composition of the intertidal infaunal community
*17*.
Although their effects on the environment are controversial in nature, the
ghost shrimp appears to be an integral part of the nearshore environments.
And fortunately for the shrimp, their widespread distribution should allow
them to sustain their populations despite the current attempts to eliminate
them locally *17*.
THE FISHERY
Ghost shrimp are harvested by commercial bait fishermen in California,
Oregon, and Washington. A method of harvest used in southern California
involves pumping water into the substrate under pressure, forcing the
animals out of their burrow *17*.
EFFECTS OF HARVEST
In one area studied, harvest noticeably reduced the ghost shrimp population
*17*.
CONTROL
In the Pacific Northwest, attempts have been made to control the shrimp on
commercial Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) grounds with the insecticide
Sevin (carbaryl). This pesticide has been used to control ghost and mud
shrimp in Washington since 1963, and although it has been used on oyster
grounds in Oregon, such use is currently unlawful there. During its use in
Oregon, bait fishermen noted ghost shrimp mortalities in untreated areas
soon after nearby oyster grounds were sprayed *17*.
Washington oyster growers estimate that oyster production would drop
70%-80%, resulting in a $5 million annual loss in Pacific and Grays Harbor
Counties, without ghost shrimp control. However, questions have been raised
about the effects of Sevin on other organisms, including the commercially
important Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), and on the estuarine ecosystem
as a whole *17*.
CONTAMINANTS
The effects of spilled oil on ghost shrimp colonies in Willapa Bay,
Washington have been studied. It was concluded that small amounts of oil
carried in on the tides and temporarily stranded in intertidal areas are
unlikely to have a serious long-term impact. However, stranded oil that is
buried by a subsequent deposition of oil-free sediment creates a barrier to
burrowing activity that can be expected to persist for years. It was also
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
concluded that the burrowing activity of the shrimp contributes to the
introduction of oil into the sub-surface *17*.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species shrimp, ghost
Species Id M070003
Date 26 AUG 96
References
17* Hornig, S., A. Sterling, S. Smith. 1989. Species Profiles: Life
Histories and Environmental Requirments of Coastal Fishes and
Invertebrates (Pacific Northwest)--Ghost Shrimp and Blue Mud
Shrimp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biol. Rep. 82(11.93) pp 14.
References - 1