Pandalidae Haworth 1825

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)

This side view of segments 3-6 of the abdomen show the pattern of spots plus the fact that abdominal segment 3 (far right) has no mid-dorsal carina nor a rear-projecting spine on the posterior margin. The mid-dorsal blue spot cannot be seen on segment 5 in this view (but see the previous view). Note also that the main lateral markings on the abdomen are red dots, some of which are aggregated into reddish stripes which angle upward posteriorly, as opposed to the well-defined red stripes on the sides of Pandalus danae's abdomen, which angle downward posteriorly.

The telson has 3-5 pairs of dorsolateral spines.

Pandalus stenolepis captured at about 130 m depth in the channel between Lopez and San Juan Islands. Total length about 5.5 cm. (Photo by: Dave Cowles, August 2012)

This side view shows the distinctive abdomen stripes, the very long rostrum, and the fact that both the first and second antennae are much longer than the carapace + rostrum. Note that one of the first antennae is broken. Also note the large paddle-like pleopods, one pair of which is extended in this photo. Photo by Dave Cowles July 2008

This closeup of the side of the abdomen shows the distinctive stripes, and also the fact that in this shrimp, as in all Caridean shrimp, the pleuron of the second abdominal segment overlaps that of the first and third segment.

Expert review, taxon ID uncertain based on photo

The dorsal spines on the carapace are only on the front half of the carapace and the rostrum.

The spines on the rostrum are found nearly out to the end--not just on the basal part. Note that ventral spines also are found nearly out to the end.

Pandalopsis dispar captured at about 70 m depth in San Juan Channel. Total length (telson to rostrum) 15 cm. (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2008)

A profile of abdominal segment 3 shows the spines present near the middle and the posterior end of the middorsal line