Length: 6-21mm. Head with anteriorly directed spine, female with variously developed spines on pereonites 1-7. (E.g., pereonite 3 with antero- and postero- lateral projections; pereonite 4 with antero-lateral projections and extended over pereonite 5 at posterior end; pereonite 5 with two pairs dorsal projections; pereonites 6 + 7 each with 2 pairs dorsal projections.) Antenna 1 longer than ½ body length; antenna 2 length variable. Propodus of gnathopod 1 with 2 proximal grasping spines, grasping margin of dactylus and propodus serrate. Propodus of gnathopod 2 elongate in males (apparent ‘knuckle’), palm with proximal and median strong teeth and distal rectangular projection; dactylus sculpted also. Gills elliptical. Pereopods 5 - 7 propodus with 2 proximal grasping spines. Females differ in gnathopod 2: not so elongate, palm with proximal spine, small distal tooth and distal rectangular projection.
Cosmopolitan: Indian Ocean, reported widely from the Atlantic and Pacific; Mauritius; Western Australia; Japan; Vladivostok; Brazil
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.
Generalist: red and brown algae, bryozoans, seagrass, sponge, bryozoans- fouling communities; benthos (14-16m)
A species complex reminiscent of C. equilibra and C. natalensis; introduced to San Francisco Bay and Elkhorn Slough; 7 varieties described by Mayer- of which, C. californica Stimpson, 1857 was re-established by McCain (1968) who also remanded the others as junior synonyms.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 148787; No 4-38 Magdalena Bay, Lower CA, Fil. Gn. Alg in deeper end of preceeding dredge haul; July 1938; WL Schmitt
