Page 89 - Invasive_Species_2013

Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

Similar species Economic impacts
The native Mediterranean Melicertus kerathurus can The peregrine shrimp is nowadays a commercially
be distinguished from Metapenaeus stebbingi by the important species for fisheries in the Levant Sea. It is
transverse dark bands on the first four segments of also a farmed species in ponds along the coast of
the abdomen and by the spines on its first and Turkey.
second pairs of walking legs.
Management options
No management options have yet been described.

Further reading
Hamida-Ben Abdallah, O. et al., 2006. Premiere observation
de la crevette faucon Metapenaeus stebbingi (nobili, 1904)
dans le Golfe de gabes. Bull. Inst. Natn. Scien. Tech. Mer de
Salammbô, Vol. 33, 133-136.
Bariche, M. 2012. Field identification guide to the living
marine resources of the Eastern and Southern
Mediterranean. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery
Melicertus kerathurus Purposes. Rome, FAO. 610 pp.

Metapenaeus stebbingi. Photo: J. Zaouali

Penaeus stebbingi

Brief history of its introduction and
pathways
Native to the Indo-West Pacific, the peregrine shrimp
was first recorded in the Mediterranean in Egypt in
1924. It has subsequently been recorded in Israel,
Lebanon, southern Turkey, Syria and Tunisia.

Ecological impacts
Currently the impacts of this invasive shrimp on the
native fauna in areas where it has been introduced
are uncertain. The peregrine shrimp may have an
advantage over the native Mediterranean prawn
The native species, Melicerthus kerathurus. Photo: A. M. Arias Drawings: Juan Varela
Melicertus kerathurus in competing for food
resources, thereby affecting populations of this
native species.

86 Monitoring Marine Invasive Species in Mediterranean MPAs: A strategy and practical guide for managers