black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Biology. A euryhaline organism, living in at a salinity of 0.5-18.0 ppt. Euryphagous.
Reproduction from April to October. After fertilization, the female carries 9-31
embryos (18 on average) in the brood pouch. Not less than two generations a year. In
the Black Sea it reaches a length of 8-10 mm, in the Sea of Azov and freshwater only
6.7-8.5 mm. Blood-red in colour. The species is capable of changing colour due to
chromatophores and become completely transparent.
Population trends. Low abundance, with only single specimens encountered.
Threats. Pollution and silting of water bodies, reduction in river deltas, areas of
seabed with hard sediments.
Conservation measures taken. Included in Red Data Books of Ukraine.
Acclimatized to Dniepr and Dniestr reservoirs. Recently invaded drinking water
reservoirs in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, where it may soon become a
pest species.
Conservation measures proposed. Extension of reserve areas in the limans and
deltas of rivers, measures to reduce water pollution and increase river water flow.
References
Bacescu, M., 1969. Order Mysidacea. In Opredelitel fauny Chernogo i Azovskogo
more (Key of Black Sea and Sea of Azov fauna). Kiev, Naukova Dumka 2: 363-381
(in Russian).
Komarova, T. I., 1991. Vyschie rakoobraznie. Mysidae (Mysidacea) (Higher
crustaceous. Mysidae (Mysidacea), Fauna Ukrayni. Kiev, Naukova Dumka 26 (7):
104 pp.
233