Caprelloidea Leach 1814

Caprella horrida maleCaprella horrida maleSpecimens from: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 25905; (NMNH) 112832; Series-Loubyrne; Hudson Bay; Trawl;

In this lateral view of the head and antennae 2, the long setae on antennae 2 can be seen. The next to last article of antenna 2 is about 6x as long as wide and has setae at least 2x as long as the article is wide. Notice also the large, single dorsal spine on the head and the small first gnathopods at the anterior end of pereonite 1. The large first antennae are extending upward out of the picture.

Caprella horrida gnathopods 2Caprella horrida gnathopods 2Specimens from: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 25905; (NMNH) 112832; Series-Loubyrne; Hudson Bay; Trawl;

This dorsal view of the head shows more clearly the first and second antennae.

Caprella unica/Caprella grahami maleCaprella unica maleSpecimens from: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 305797-8; (NMNH) 1110829 (labeled C. grahami)

Tritella pilimana found on eelgrass on March Point, Padilla Bay June 2007. Total length not including antennae = 2.4 cm. (Photo by: Dave Cowles July 2007)

Caprella unica gnathopods 2Caprella unica/ Caprella grahami gnathopods 2Specimens from: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 305797-8; (NMNH) 1110829 (labeled C. grahami)

Caprella dilatata gnathopod 2Caprella dilatata gnathopod 2Specimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 23208; Received from the Zoo. Sta. Naples, Italy; Acc No 27,047, 1893. Labelled as C. acutifrons

Caprella dilatata femaleCaprella dilatata femaleSpecimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 23208; Received from the Zoo. Sta. Naples, Italy; Acc No 27,047, 1893. Labelled as C. acutifrons

Caprella lilliputCaprella lilliput individuals showing miniature size.Specimens from: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 305416

Mayerella banksia (Laubitz, 1970) Common name: Skeleton Shrimp Mayerella banksia collected at Rosario Bay among drift algae. Photo by: Christina Smith, June2002

Caprella andreae maleCaprella andreae maleSpecimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 113051

This closeup shows pereonites 5-7 with their appendages, pereopods 5-7. Pereopods 5-7 arise from the posterior end of their segment (pereonite) and are used for gripping the substrate such as this eelgrass blade. The left pereopod 7 is missing.

Caprella andreae head and gnathopodsCaprella andreae head and gnathopodsSpecimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 113051

The propodus of gnathopod 2 is less than 2/3 as wide as it is long. Note also the gill on the segment behind.

Caprella carina pereopods 6 + 7Caprella carina pereopods 6 & 7Specimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 134426-7

This ventral view shows there is no spine between the large gnathopods 2 and shows the location of the gills.

Caprella carina maleCaprella carina maleSpecimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 134426-7

This view of the head (animal is looking to the left) shows the very large second antennae to the left, then the head with sessile eyes and prominent, forward-directed head spine. Below the head can be seen the first gnathopods which are on the anterior end of the first thoracic segment (pereonite), which extends out of view to the right.

Caprella carina gnathopodsCaprella carina gnathopodsSpecimen: National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC: (NMNH) 134426-7

Caprella angusta from eelgrass in Padilla Bay. Total length about 4 cm. One of the ventral flaplike gills is visible posterior to the large grasping gnathopods 2, right at the end of the eelgrass. (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2008)