The first finding of the palaemonid shrimpPalaemon elegansRathke in the Estonian coastal sea

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to describe rapid colonization of the nektobenthic crustacean Palaemon elegans in the Estonian coastal sea. The shrimp was caught for the first time from the Estonian coastal sea in July 2011. Within the same month the species was simultaneously found at high densities in four water basins: the Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Riga, the West Estonian Archipelago Sea, and the Baltic Proper. Among individuals many mature females were found. Thus, having a wide distribution range, high densities, and great reproduction potential, P. elegans has most likely formed a permanent population all over the Estonian coastal sea.