Robin Gwen Agarwal, USA
Info
Pontonides maldivensis (Borradaile, 1915)
Medium-sized shrimp with a flattened body. Carapace smooth, not curved. Rostrum short. Body and limbs yellow-green, covered with tiny yellow chromatophores (pattern perfectly adapted to the host).
In Nhatrang Bay, Pontonides maldivensis was found associated with colonies of Tubastraea micranthus Ehrenberg, 1834 (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae), mostly in larger groups of adults (sometimes up to 15 adults per colony).
Tubastrea corals are most commonly found in areas exposed to currents. However, Pontonides maldivensis was only found near Nok Island and on the outside of Mun Island, where the currents in the bay are strongest.
The presence of curved bristles on the ventral edge of the second pereiopods suggests that these shrimp probably collect mucus secreted by the host coral for feeding.
This shrimp always lives commensally / associated on the black cup coral (Tubastrea micrantha).
Synonymised names:
Pontonia maldivensis Borradaile, 1915
Medium-sized shrimp with a flattened body. Carapace smooth, not curved. Rostrum short. Body and limbs yellow-green, covered with tiny yellow chromatophores (pattern perfectly adapted to the host).
In Nhatrang Bay, Pontonides maldivensis was found associated with colonies of Tubastraea micranthus Ehrenberg, 1834 (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae), mostly in larger groups of adults (sometimes up to 15 adults per colony).
Tubastrea corals are most commonly found in areas exposed to currents. However, Pontonides maldivensis was only found near Nok Island and on the outside of Mun Island, where the currents in the bay are strongest.
The presence of curved bristles on the ventral edge of the second pereiopods suggests that these shrimp probably collect mucus secreted by the host coral for feeding.
This shrimp always lives commensally / associated on the black cup coral (Tubastrea micrantha).
Synonymised names:
Pontonia maldivensis Borradaile, 1915
