Blue Mud Shrimp – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Photo Credit: Gregory Krutzikowsky, ODFW

Overview

Species Common Name Blue Mud Shrimp
Species Scientific Name Upogebia pugettensis

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Blue mud shrimp are dependent upon limited, specialized habitat available only in estuaries.

Limiting factors

This species is adversely affected by a non-native, parasitic isopod that inhibits reproduction.

Data gaps

Assess spatial extent, densities, population size/age structure, and recruitment.

Conservation actions

Monitor status of burrowing shrimp populations at index sites. Gather information to fill data gaps. Adapt management to findings.