Prawns

Definition

Prawns are marine crustaceans that belong to the suborder Pleocyemata and are closely related to shrimp. These decapod crustaceans are characterized by their long bodies, elongated rostrum, and large antennae, which aid in sensing their environment. Prawns are important in marine ecosystems and play a crucial role in the food chain, serving as prey for various marine species while also being significant as a source of food for humans.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prawns have gills for breathing underwater and are typically found in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
2. They reproduce through external fertilization, where females release eggs into the water column for males to fertilize.
3. The diet of prawns mainly consists of plankton, small fish, and organic debris, making them important scavengers in their habitat.
4. Prawns can vary in size from a few centimeters to over 30 centimeters long, depending on the species.
5. Commercially, prawns are a significant seafood industry product, with aquaculture practices widely used to meet global demand.

Review Questions

• How do prawns contribute to the marine ecosystem as both predators and prey?
  • Prawns serve a dual role in the marine ecosystem as both predators and prey. As predators, they consume plankton, small fish, and organic matter, helping to control population levels of these organisms while contributing to nutrient cycling. On the flip side, they are also a vital food source for larger marine animals such as fish, birds, and mammals. This makes prawns an integral part of the aquatic food web, supporting biodiversity.
• Discuss the reproductive strategies of prawns and how they ensure population sustainability in marine environments.
  • Prawns utilize external fertilization during reproduction, where females release eggs into the water for males to fertilize. This method increases the chances of successful fertilization due to the high number of eggs produced. After fertilization, prawn larvae undergo several stages of development before reaching adulthood. This reproductive strategy allows prawns to sustain their populations despite high predation rates from other marine animals.
• Evaluate the impact of aquaculture on prawn populations and marine ecosystems in relation to sustainability practices.
  • Aquaculture has significantly influenced prawn populations by increasing their availability for human consumption; however, it also poses challenges to sustainability. Overfishing wild populations can lead to declines in biodiversity and disrupt local ecosystems. Sustainable practices in aquaculture aim to minimize environmental impacts through responsible sourcing of feed, maintaining water quality, and preventing disease outbreaks. By implementing these practices, the aquaculture industry can help ensure healthy prawn populations while balancing ecological integrity.

Related terms

Crustaceans:

A diverse group of arthropods that includes crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and prawns, characterized by a hard exoskeleton and jointed limbs.

Decapods: A group of crustaceans that possess ten limbs, which includes prawns, crabs, and lobsters.

Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, where prawns play a vital role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer.