Upogebia stellata

Upogebia stellata is a species of mud shrimp in the family Upogebiidae.

Description

Upogebia stellata is up to long; it is yellow-white, sometimes with orange spots. Its anatomy is described thus:

The specific name stellata means "starred" in Latin, referring to the spots on its body.

Upogebia stellata is found in the eastern Atlantic. It is common around Great Britain and Ireland, also being found off Norway and Spain, and in the Mediterranean.

U. stellata is part of the infauna, living permanently in burrows in the seafloor. It digs long tunnels in the mud up to in length. It is a suspension feeder. Courtship is practiced through olfactory and tactile cues; sperm transfer is indirect.