Tiger pistol shrimp
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| Alpheus bellulus Miya & Miyake, 1969 |
The tiger pistol shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) is a species of snapping shrimp also called symbiosis shrimp. The body is tan with rust-colored broken stripes running across the back. They have two claws: a pincher and snapper. The snapper can deliver a strong blast of water jet that can stun their prey. It is native to tropical waters, including Baja California.
The name "symbiosis shrimp" comes from the mutually beneficial relationship the shrimp has with gobies (e.g. Amblyeleotris and Stonogobiops). The goby, with better eyesight, warns the shrimp of predators, and the shrimp shares its food with the goby.
Pistol shrimp are monogamous and possibly the only eusocial marine animal. Living in sponges, they show high degrees of inbreeding. As eusocial animals, these shrimps have a division of labor. For example, queen castes are protected by "soldier" castes. Soldier castes, which are larger in size are more likely to attack intruders (pistol shrimps of another colony) than smaller, non-soldier castes.
