Caprella penantis
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| Caprella penantis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Amphipoda |
| Family: | Caprellidae |
| Genus: | Caprella |
| Species: | C. penantis |
| Binomial name | |
| Caprella penantis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Caprella penantis is a species of skeleton shrimp in the family Caprellidae. It lives on the seabed in shallow water in many parts of the world. This species was first described in 1814 by the English zoologist William Elford Leach who named it Caprella penantis in honour of the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant. The type locality is Devon, England.[2]
Like other caprellid skeleton shrimps, Caprella penantis has a cylindrical, slender body with much reduced abdominal segments. It grows to a length of about 13 mm (0.5 in). The gnathopods (feeding appendages) are hooked and the three pairs of pereiopods (walking legs) are modified for clinging on to the plants and other organisms amongst which it lives. Compared to other caprellids in similar habitats, it has a small, sharply-pointed rostrum on its head and a relatively robust body. While generally drab in colour, this skeleton shrimp may take on some of the coloration of whatever it is feeding on.[3]