Antenna 2 flagellum 2-segmented, spines at apex. Mandible molar present, flake present, setal row 1 on Right, 2 on Left; palp 3-segmented, apex with 1+x+1 setae; incisor 5-toothed; left lacinia 5-toothed, right a complex prong. Maxilla 1 6 spiniform setae on outer plate; palp spinose and setose. Maxilliped outer plate larger than inner; inner plate apex with setae and spines; outer plate with marginal setae, few spines. Lower lip inner lobes demarcated. Gnathopod 1 propodus subtriangular, setose; palm not well delineated, single spine. Gills on pereonites 3 + 4. Pereopods 3 + 4 greatly reduced; pereopods 5-7 normal. Abdomen 5-segmented, 3 pairs of biramous pleopods; 2 pairs of uniramous uropods; genital papillae unknown. Laubitz 1993
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.
