dcsimg

Diagnostic Description

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

Antenna 2 without swimming setae, flagellum with two articles; mandibular palp much reduced with up to three articles, setal formula for terminal article 1, molar present; outer plate of maxilliped larger than inner plate; gills on pereonites 3 and 4; pereopods 3 and 4 two-segmented, pereopod 5 six-segmented; abdomen of male with one pair of appendages and one pair of lobes; abdomen of female with one pair of lobes.

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Ashton, Gail
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Ashton, Gail
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Caprellids LifeDesk

General Description

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

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.

license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
partner site
Caprellids LifeDesk