Question

Scientific name of kadal shrimp

• A. Metapenaeus alcocki
• B. Metapenaeus monoceros
• C. Metapenaeus affinis
• D. Metapenaeus dobsoni

Hint:

Many Indian prawns have specific common names:
1. M. dobsoni = Kadal shrimp Flower prawn.
2. Penaeus monodon = Tiger prawn.
3. Penaeus indicus = Indian white prawn.
4. M. affinis = Jinga shrimp.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the scientific name of the "kadal shrimp," which is an economically important crustacean in Indian fisheries.
Detailed Explanation:

• Common Nomenclature: "Kadal shrimp" is a regional name used in India (particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu) for the species Metapenaeus dobsoni. "Kadal" means "sea" in Malayalam and Tamil.

• Biology: This species is a small-sized penaeid prawn. It is highly abundant along the southwest coast of India. It has a characteristic lifestyle involving a juvenile phase in estuaries (like the Cochin backwaters) and an adult phase in the sea.

• Fishery Importance: It forms a major portion of the artisanal and mechanized prawn catch in India. It is easily identified by its rostrum which is armed with 7-9 dorsal teeth and no ventral teeth.

• Analysis of other options:
• Metapenaeus monoceros is known as the "Brown shrimp" or "Speckled shrimp".

• Metapenaeus affinis is known as the "Jinga shrimp".

• Metapenaeus alcocki is a related but less commercially dominant species.

Step 2: Final Answer:
The scientific name of kadal shrimp is Metapenaeus dobsoni.