Length: 3.5-6mm. Body smooth dorsally, antero-ventral margin of pereonite 2 with large triangular projection; pleura developed on pereonites 3 + 4. Antenna 1 peduncle setose; antenna 2 without swimming setae, but densely setose. Gnathopod 1 propodus with proximal grasping spine, grasping margin of dactylus and propodus serrate. Gnathopod 2 propodus with proximal grasping spine, median tooth separated from distal triangular projection by groove. Gills oval. Pereopods 3 + 4 two-segmented.
Brazil; Key Biscayne, Florida; Martinique; Jamaica; South Africa; Hawaii; China; Texas; Virgin Islands; Guadeloup; Margarita
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.
From mangrove roots, sea grass, hydroids and ascidians.
