Pandaloidea Haworth 1825

Pandalus platyceros, also called California spot prawn or Alaskan prawn, is a shrimp of the genus Pandalus

Expert review, taxon ID uncertain based on photo

Pandalus platyceros, also called California spot prawn or Alaskan prawn, is a shrimp of the genus Pandalus

Expert review, taxon ID uncertain based on photo

Photo by Dave Cowles, March 2004

most are Heterocarpus

The carpus of pereopod 2 is subdivided by many annular striations into a flexible series of many articles. This structure is called a multiarticulated carpus. Pandalids have many articles (more than 7) on the carpus of the 2nd pereopod, and usually have around 20.

In this side view of the carapace the dorsal spines, which extend to behind the midpoint of the carapace and have a red patch at the base, can be seen. Also visible are the blue spots over the cardiac region of the carapace and the scattering of red, white, and yellow spots. The rougher patch of the carapace is anterior to the blue spots, but is not plainly visible here. The blue spots farthest to the left are on the first abdominal segment.

Pandalus platyceros has a long rostrum which is longer than the rest of the carapace. It has movable dorsal spines which continue out to at least part of the distal half of the rostrum.

Expert review, taxon ID uncertain based on photo; looks like Heterocarpus, but can't really tell

In this side view of the rostrum the movable dorsal spines can be seen.

Abdominal segment 3 has no mid-dorsal carina (ridge) or spine. Note how the pleurite of segment 2 expands and overlaps that of segments 1 and 3, as is characteristic of caridean (true) shrimp.

The tip of the rostrum is bifid. In this view the setae lining the ends of the antennal scales can be seen below the rostrum.

Abdominal segment 6 is less than twice as long as it is wide.

This dorsal view of the anterior head shows that the antennal scale has a concave outer margin.

This scar on the abdomen is the result of the outgrowth of the externa of the parasitic barnacle Sylon hippolytes. Photo provided by Hilary Wood of the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game.

Abdominal segments 1-4 (and 5-6) have blue dots dorsally and laterally.

Pandalus platyceros from 100 m depth in San Juan Channel. Length about 20 cm (Photo by: Dave Cowles July 2004)