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Sponge shrimp
Synalpheus regalis
These tiny shrimps behave like bees or ants, living in a colony and having 'castes' of workers, soldiers and a queen. Such behaviour was only discovered in 1996, and is not known in any other marine animal.
Subspecies
There are about 100 species of shrimp within this genus, at least three of which have been found to have this eusocial way of life.
Distribution
They have only been discovered in the Caribbean, off the coast of Belize.
Habitat
They inhabit sponges found on coral reefs.
Diet
These shrimps live and feed within their host sponge, eating tiny particles of sponge and secretions including mucus. As such, they are parasites of the sponge.
Behaviour
The shrimps live in colonies in the channels of sponges and have different castes, a queen, workers and soldiers. The different castes each perform different roles in caring for the colony. The queen is in charge of reproduction, the workers care for the young and the soldiers defend the sponge. 'Eusocial' systems such as this, are only known in insects (termites, ants and bees) and two species of mole rat. No other marine animal behaves in such a way, and this behaviour was only discovered in 1996.
Sponge shrimps are also known as snapping shrimps, as the workers use their enlarged claws to make snapping sounds which are clearly audible on the reef.
Reproduction
In the sponge shrimp colony, only the queen reproduces. All members of the colony help with parental care.
Conservation status
Not considered threatened.
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