dcsimg

Diagnostic Description

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

Length: 10-33 mm. Body covered in numerous granules, each bearing a sensory hiar; head having a pair of minute tubercles between antenna 1 and eye; pereonites 3 + 4 bear a forward-directed spine above insertion of each gill. Antenna 1 almost as long as body; antenna 2 whort, about 1/3 length of antenna 1 peduncle; with swimming setae. Gnathopod 2 attached to posterior end of pereonite 2; propodus with proximal grasping spine, distal ‘tooth’ and triangular projection (separated by a groove). Pereopods 5 - 7 with grasping spines. Gills elongate.

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
partner site
Caprellids LifeDesk

Distribution

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

Japan

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
partner site
Caprellids LifeDesk

General Description

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

Caprellid, “Ghost” or “Skeleton” shrimps, so called for their skeletal appearance. Amphipod crustaceans, easily distinguished by the elongate stick-like body form and reduction of the abdominal appendages. Head is generally fused with pereonite 1. Pereopods on first 2 segments (pereonites) are most flexible and called gnathopods; gnathopods 2 being the largest, used in defense, feeding and substrate attachment. In many species pereopods 3 and 4 may also be reduced or absent. Gills on pereonites 3 + 4, rarely on pereonite 2. Pereopods 5 - 7 much smaller than 1 + 2, used for clinging to the substratum. In females, brood plates (öostegites) develop on pereonites 3 + 4. Much remains to be learnt about their biology, ecology and in many cases changing distributions.

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
partner site
Caprellids LifeDesk

Habitat

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

16m

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
partner site
Caprellids LifeDesk

Specimens

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 9344

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
partner site
Caprellids LifeDesk