Ecological Shifts in Puerto Rico's Freshwater Shrimp Assemblages and Their Impact on Ecosystem Dynamics (2025-03-07)

Abstract

Puerto Rico�s freshwater systems are shaped by native shrimp assemblages, which play a crucial role in regulating ecosystem processes and community dynamics. Watershed geomorphology naturally influences their distribution, but large dams can completely extirpate shrimp from entire watersheds, leading to significant disruptions in ecosystem structure and function. The loss of shrimp�s top-down regulatory role causes alterations in benthic algae, organic matter levels, leaf litter decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Additionally, the absence of native shrimp may facilitate the spread of invasive species, such as the Australian red-claw crayfish. In this seminar, I will discuss how these ecological shifts affect Puerto Rico�s freshwater ecosystems and highlight the role of native shrimp in maintaining ecosystem balance.