Strong interactions of Paratya australiensis (Decapoda : Atyidae) on periphyton in an Australian subtropical stream

Atyid shrimps are often an abundant component in undisturbed tropical streams. Studies in coastal streams in Puerto Rico and Brazil have demonstrated the importance of this group in removing periphyton and sediment from hard substrates and their effects on the composition and quantity of periphytic algae. We used experimental exclosures to investigate the influence of the small atyid Paratya australiensis on periphyton accrual on hard …