Head with blunt triangular projection directed anteriorly. Pereonite 2 with single acute projection between insertions of gnathopods 2. Antenna 1 longer than ½ body length. Antenna 2 shorter than peduncle of antenna 1; peduncle segments 3-5 with 2 rows dense long setae ventrally. Gnathopod 1 propodus palm with pair of grasping spines at proximal corner, grasping margin straight and minutely serrate, with rows of setae. Gnathopod 2 attached to midpoint of pereonite 2; propodus with single large grasping spine on apex; palm slightly concave with small grasping spines proximally, sub-distal poison tooth, and distal triangular projection. Gills large and oval. Pereopods 5 - 7 palm with grasping spines and rows of short setae on slightly concave margin. Differs from Caprella cicur in shape of pereonites and gnathopod 2. Also resembles Caprella penantis, distinguished by: ventral projection on pereonite 2; male antenna 1 longer than ½ body length; palm of male gnathopod 2 with sub-distal poison tooth; female abdomen bearing a pair of appendages.
Pacific coast of central Japan.
Named after the Kuroshio current.
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.
