Atyoida bisulcata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Decapoda |
Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
Infraorder: | Caridea |
Family: | Atyidae |
Genus: | Atyoida |
Species: | A. bisulcata
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Binomial name | |
Atyoida bisulcata J. W. Randall, 1840
| |
Synonyms | |
Ortmannia henshawi Rathbun, 1901 |
Atyoida bisulcata, also called ʻŌpae kalaʻole or ʻŌpae kuahiwi in Hawaiian, is a species of freshwater shrimp endemic to Hawaiʻi in the family Atyidae.[1][2][3][4][5][6] It was described in 1840 by John Witt Randall and is the type species for the genus Atyoida.[7]
This species of freshwater shrimp grow to about 2 inches in length.[8] They don't possess any type of claws but have a unique set of pincers, containing bristle-like hairs that are primarily used to catch and filter small food particles from water columns.[8] The shrimp are often characterized by either a golden-brown or dark-green/black pigmentation.[9]
‘Ōpae kala‘ole can be commonly found on the islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i, where they occupy streams of high water quality.[10] They often inhabit the higher parts of streams, where the water is typically flowing the quickest.[11] Oftentimes, they can be seen upstream of 100 ft waterfalls.[8]
As of today, the consumption of the shrimp continues and is still considered a prized source of food.[12] They were regarded as a favorite delicacy consumed by the early Native Hawaiians.[13] However, the sale of the shrimp is illegal while its consumption is not.[14]