Very clear body, with a slight red or yellow tint
Head triangular above A1, rostral filaments invisible from dorsal view. Apical spine on the right P5 in males is curved.
Widely distributed cosmopolitan species. Reproduction not assumed in polar waters
Oceanic bathypelagic species; in its northern range may occur near the surface
Female: Head shape triangular above the antennulae, head not fused with first segment. Rostrum consists of 2 filaments, usually invisible from dorsal view. A1 significantly longer than the body. Each segment of the abdomen, including the genital segment, carries 2 spines on its dorsal side. P5 three-segmented. The second segment of P5 carries 1 lateral chaeta, the third – 1 lateral and 2 apical chaetae. Abdomen 3 segmented due to fusion of anal segment with the furca. Caudal rami slightly asymmetrical and carry 2 aggregations of hairs at the anal region.
Male: Very similar body shape as in female. The left exopodite of P5 consists of one short segment, which carries several chaetae; the distal segment of the right P5 with a large curved spine.
