The freshwater shrimps of Curacao, West Indies (Decapoda, Caridea)

On the basis of a field survey and review of existing records I here report on the occurrence of ten freshwater shrimp species in Curacao. Four species constitute new and/or previously unpublished records for the island. Existing records for the neighbouring islands of Bonaire and Aruba are reviewed. The most common species are Macrobrachium carcinus, M. crenulatum, and Xiphocaris elongata. Macrobrachium heterochirus, Micratya poeyi, and Atya scabra appear to be quite rare, while M. lucifugum and Typhlatya monae are limited to karst waters. Survey results for Curacao reflect the detrimental effects of excessive damming, which blocks surface water flows and thereby prevents lifecycle migration of amphidromous species.