black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Synonyms: None
Katamysis warpachowskyi G.O. Sars, 1893
Common names: Russ: Myzida varpakhovskogo; Ukr: Myzida varpakhovskogo
Order MYSIDACEA
Family MYSIDAE
Taxonomic description. The only species in the genus. Thick body with
exceptionally broad shell. The upper lip has a long spine. Tongue-shaped telson.
IUCN Status
World level: EN (Endemic of the Azov-Black Sea basin)
Black Sea Regional level: EN
Subregion level: EN (Ukrainian sector)
Distribution. Endemic of the Azov-Black and Caspian seas. Encountered in the
lower reaches of the Dnieper, Dniester and Danube. Can swim up to 150 km against
the current. Its range includes the Caspian Sea and Volga Delta (Russia).
Acclimatized to the Dubossarsky reservoir (Moldova), where it is rare today.
Habitat type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors. Bathypelagic. Encountered at
0.34-1.00 ppt salinity in sandy or shelly sediments, sometimes in overgrowths of
aquatic plants.
Biology. Euryphagous. Reproduces from the beginning of March to October. After
fertilization, the female carries 10-22 embryos in a brood pouch. The number of
generations is unknow. Length 4.2-6.8 mm. Colour dark brown.
Population trends. Low abundance (single specimens).
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