This is a species of freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium sp.) from the tropical Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia. This specimen was given to me over a year a go by young researcher and innovator. He believes that this species of prawn has economic potential, as they grow fast and endure a variety of conditions. However, he knows little of its reproductive behavior and requirements, and unfortunately he is unable to identify the Latin name of this specimen at the species level. So he recruited my help to see if I could link up with University researchers in the States and pinpoint the identity of this little critter.
Given that the United States government has invested millions, if not billions, of dollars into this geographic region that is notorious for illicit coca production, you would think more resources would be available for researching economic development alternatives and supporting innovation. Nevertheless, I welcome his initiative in bringing me the specimens, and although it has taken me a little while to get on it, I’ve finally made some contacts at different universities who will hopefully be able to help me.
In fact, the folks at the Florida Institute of Technology have offered to do DNA testing on the samples. This is pretty awesome! So for those of you reading this blog who are interested in taxonomy of freshwater tropical shrimp, or just aquaculture in general, stay tuned, I’ll have more updates on this as information comes.
