Alpheus villosus (Olivier, 1811)
Alpheus villosus is a snapping shrimp from the Indo-West Pacific, and belongs to the Sulcatus species group within the genus Alpheus. It is found from the intertidal and deeper waters, and is often found living inside corals; these individuals often have poorly pigmented eyes, possibly from living in these dimly lit habitats. For more details, see ABRS (2009): http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/a....
Alpheus villosus belongs to the Sulcatus species group within the genus Alpheus (Banner and Banner 1982). Types stored at the Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN). Banner and Banner (1982) described geographic variation in populations of this species from northern and southern Australia, but refrained from splitting it into different species or subspecies. For additional descriptions, see Chace (1988).
Ranges from the intertidal to 44 m depth; found in coral heads (Chace 1988). Banner and Banner (1982) that specimens from deep in coral heads had eyes lacking normal pigmentation, possibly associated with this poorly lit habitat.
Maximum body size is 22 mm (carapace length) (Chace 1988). Entire body hispid, with interspersed long and short setae (Banner and Banner 1982).
Palaemon villosus (Olivier, 1811); Palaemon diversimanus (Olivier, 1811); Paralpheus diversimanus (Bate, 1888).
Indo-West Pacific: Australia, South Africa, Mascarene Islands, Sulu Sea, Phillippines (summarized in Banner and Banner 1982); Reunion Island (Poupin 2008).