WetlandInfo—your first-stop-shop for wetland management resources in Queensland

Wonderful wetlands

Wetlands are important for our environment, economy and our livelihoods. They have many functions from reducing floods to producing clean water and food for humans, industry and agriculture. They provide important habitat for many animals and plants. Wetlands are the great ‘connectors’ across our landscape providing places for our enjoyment and relaxation. Regardless of whether you are doing a school or uni assignment, managing a wetland or undertaking research, you will find a wealth of information here on WetlandInfo. Read more…

WetlandInfo feature species

Riffle Shrimp (Australatya striolata)

Photo by Jon Marshall

The feature animal for April is the Australatya striolata (Riffle Shrimp). All species in the genus use habitats of fast-flowing, rocky streams, which gives them their common name of riffle shrimps.

Australatya striolata is a large and distinctive freshwater shrimp species of the family Atyidae, which includes other more commonly encountered local ‘glass shrimp’ from the genera Paratya and Caradina.

They grow to a maximum size of around 8 cm, and are recognised by this large size and robust body shape. They have a well-defined, pale, mid-dorsal stripe that interrupts their general body colouration that ranges from green, to red or tan-brown to black.

They occur in coastal catchments from Victoria (where it is listed as endangered) to the Sunshine Coast region of southern Queensland.

Additional information

• Species profile
• Atlas of Living Australia.