THE MARINE FAUNA OF THE BLACKWATER ESTUARY 33
Order Schizopoda
Mysidae
Hemimysis sp.
One record from a plankton sample taken in the Blackwater
(25.5.1961).
Mesopodopsis slabberi (van Beneden)
Common in plankton samples in the summer. Taken in large
numbers with a tow net in May 1960.
Order Decapoda
Pandalidae
Pandalus montagui Leach Pink Shrimp
Commonly taken with beam trawl and sometimes with dredge
and grab samples in the Blackwater. Especially common in the
summer on 'ross' ground where it feeds on tubicolous polychaetes.
Hippolytidae
Spirontocaris cranchii (Leach)
One specimen taken in a dredge sample at station TL.3 on
20.11.1960, but common and widespread in 1964 and 1965. This
species is normally found in the English Channel but may extend
as far north as Harwich and Yarmouth in some years.
Palaemonidae
Palaemon serratus (Pennant) Prawn
Common in 1960, being taken in trawl hauls from Thirslet
seawards, but not commonly recorded subsequently. This is
another English Channel species which is at the limit of its distri-
bution off the Suffolk coast.
Palaemonetes varians (Leach)
A brackish water species being very common in pools in all
saltings in the area and in the Strood and Pyefleet Channels.
Crangonidae
Crangon vulgaris Fabricius Common or Brown Shrimp
Very common in all parts of the Blackwater from Maldon sea-
wards, on both clean and muddy bottoms. Present all the year
round but more common in the summer.
Nephropsidae
Homarus vulgaris Milne Edwards Lobster
Lobsters are not common but may be taken occasionally in
trawl hauls, particularly in the Colne Bar area. The species was
once more common in the Blackwater. Present distribution is
related to the availability of suitable shelter on the bottom, e.g.
wrecks. Specimens have also been obtained from Bradwell Creek
and the water intake culverts of Bradwell Power Station. The
severe winter of 1962-63 caused heavy mortality. 'Berried' speci-