Head with small blunt spine. Pereonites 2-7 with numerous dorsal tuberculations; pereonite 5 with lateral tuberculations also; pereonite 2 with plumose setae. Gnathopod 2 inserted posteriorly; propodus palm with distinct thumb-like projection and groove with rounded process distally, palm dorsal surface and dactylus all with plumose setae. Gills oval. Pereopods 5 + 6 with 1 pair grasping spines; pereopod 7 with 4 graping spines.
Atlantic coasts of Europe; Strait of Gibraltar: Ceuta, North Africa
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.
28m amongst algae
Some confusion over nomenclature/ identification through history.
