Opossum Shrimp

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

There are currently no conservation measures underway targeting this species.

The opossum shrimp has a slightly translucent outer body covering (integument) with an intense red tint. The eyes are short and cylindrical, with the visible part being golden-brown, and the first antenna has more than 15 fine, closely gathered hair-like structures (setae) and a long flagellum. The fourth and fifth walking limbs (pereiopods) are very long with four segments, while the first three are shorter and thicker, with just three segments. The female is slightly larger than the male (2).

Always found in close proximity to the surface of silty sediments of anchialine limestone caves, at depths from 0.5 to 16 m (2).

Recorded from Green Bay, Castle Grotto, Cherry Pit, Palm, Walsingham, Leamington and Grenadier Pool Caves, Bermuda (2).

Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List 2006 (1).

The threats to this species are unknown.