Microhabitat preferences of Atyidae shrimps in the middle to upper reaches of southern rivers in Tokushima Prefecture, southern central Japan

徳島県南部の河川の中・上流域におけるヌマエビ類のマイクロ生息場の環境選択性

Microhabitat preferences of Atyidae shrimps in the middle to upper reaches of southern rivers in Tokushima Prefecture, southern central Japan

We aimed to clarify the microhabitat preferences of Atyidae shrimps in the middle to upper reaches of the Hiwasa R. , Kitagawatidani R. , and Mugi R. , Tokushima Prefecture, southern central Japan. Relationships between the shrimp abundance and physical environmental variables were surveyed at six sites in 2011 fall and 2012 spring by setting 5-m line transects delineated with ten consecutive 50-cm quadrats along the riverbank. The dominant shrimp species collected from the riverbanks were Caridina multidentata, Paratya compressa and Neocaridina denticulata. C. multidentata was shown to prefer loose boulder or cobble beds with interstices. When interstices were scarce, the shrimps were found inhabiting among the vegetation. P. compressa was shown to prefer vegetation and boulder or cobble bed in pools. N. denticulata tended to prefer vegetation in darker, gently-flowing areas. Our results insist that the three shrimp species segregate microhabitat under base-flow conditions, but flow reduction may cause microhabitat overlap between C. multidentata and P, compressa.

Creators Yonezawa Takayasu

Creators Saito Minoru

Creators Hatama Toshihiro

Creators Araki Akira

Creators Oka Naohiro

Creators Hamano Tatsuo

[ISSN]0370-9361