Last updated: May 7, 2020
Article
Freshwater Shrimp Surveys Underway in Marin County Creeks
![Female freshwater shrimp carrying eggs Female freshwater shrimp carrying eggs, held in a glass vial for temporary viewing and identification before release](/rlc/pacificcoast/images/xIMG_3025.jpg?maxwidth=1300&autorotate=false)
NPS / Alex Iwaki
June 2019 - National Park Service biologists, in collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife, are surveying lower Lagunitas Creek tributaries for endangered California freshwater shrimp (Syncaris pacifica) for the first time in almost 15 years.
Researchers will identify any changes in the abundance and distribution of shrimp in Marin County’s shallow streams, which represent a sizable portion of the native crustacean’s limited range. Hopefully, increasing interest and awareness in the shrimp will help future conservation efforts. In particular, a species of non-native brackish shrimp (Palaeomon macrodactylus) was documented in the area, so gathering information on how both shrimp species are using the habitat may prove valuable.
![Male freshwater shrimp Overhead view of a small, mostly translucent shrimp at the bottom of a white bucket of water](/articles/images/61305421_345206086181302_8012170793863610368_n_E.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS / Alex Iwaki
Based on preliminary surveys, it appears that California freshwater shrimp have expanded their range throughout Olema Creek. Numbers have increased significantly relative to where they were 15 years ago.
For more information, contact Darren Fong.