Upogebia stellata is a species of mud shrimp in the family Upogebiidae.
Description Upogebia stellata is up to long; it is yellow-white, sometimes with orange spots. Its anatomy is described thus: carapace with strong cervical groove anterior lateral border has a small ocular spine hairy rostrum chelipeds equal in size, long and slender ventral margin of manus has dense rows of hairs outer extremity of carpus has a long spineHandbook of the Marine Fauna of North-West Europe. (1995:434). Japan: OUP Oxford.
The specific name stellata means "starred" in Latin, referring to the spots on its body.
Distribution Upogebia stellata is found in the eastern Atlantic. It is common around Great Britain and Ireland, also being found off Norway and Spain, and in the Mediterranean.
Ecology U. stellata is part of the infauna, living permanently in burrows in the seafloor. It digs long tunnels in the mud up to in length.Stebbing, T. R. R. (1893:186). A History of Crustacea: Recent Malacostraca. United Kingdom: D. Appleton. It is a suspension feeder. Courtship is practiced through olfactory and tactile cues; sperm transfer is indirect.
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