THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands |
Identify taxa Jointed legsCrustaceaUncommon in wetlandsMysidacea |
Mysidacea (opossum shrimp) |
Opossum shrimp are rarely collected in freshwater wetlands. They spend most of their time swimming and little time on the substrate. The opossum shrimp look a lot like shrimp but have more than 10 major legs, are smaller, and don't have a prominent rostrum or ridge extending forward from the top of their head. Two species are likely to be found in the Northwest. Neomysis mercedis is primarily estuarine, but they live in some freshwater habitats. Mysis relicta is native to deep, cold lakes in northern North America, but have been introduced widely to numerous other wetlands and lakes. |
Size: large Identifying feature(s): with more than 10 major legs; look like shrimp but smaller Habitat: estaurine wetlands; near mouths of maritime streams; lakes and reservoirs |
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