dcsimg

Diagnostic Description

provided by Caprellids LifeDesk

Length: 2.3-7mm. Body smooth. Antenna 1 about 1/3 body length; antenna 2 as long as antenna 1 peduncle. Gnathopod 1 propodus triangular, with 1 proximal grasping spine; grasping margins of dactylus and propodus serrate. Gnathopod 2 propodus slender and elongate, with proximal grasping and distal groove. Gills oval or elliptical. Pereopods 3 + 4 two-segmented; pereopod 5 three-segmented.

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Ashton, Gail
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Ashton, Gail
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Distribution

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NW Atlantic

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Ashton, Gail
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Ashton, Gail
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Etymology

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Derived from the latin "reduncus" meaning curved back, referring to the recurving tip of the abdominal appendage.

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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.

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Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
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Caprellids LifeDesk

Notes

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Differences from congeners most obvious in abdomen, gnathopods and pereopods 6 and 7.

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cc-by-nc
copyright
Ashton, Gail
author
Ashton, Gail
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Caprellids LifeDesk