Leopard Crinoid Shrimp
Laomenes pardus
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Subphylum
- Crustacea
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda
- Family
- Palaemonidae
- Genus
- Laomenes
- Species
- Laomenes pardus
The leopard crinoid shrimp (Laomenes pardus) is a feather star shrimp covered in leopard-like spots. Its name 'pardus' means leopard, and its spotted pattern makes it one of the most attractive crinoid shrimps.
Described in 2009, it grows to about 1-2 cm and lives among the arms of feather stars. Its spots and colours blend with its host, and it feeds on particles caught by the crinoid.
In the Philippines it is found on feather stars on reefs and slopes, where it is a lovely find for macro photographers.