Phronima
| Phronima | |
|---|---|
| File:Phronima sedentaria (YPM IZ 075000).jpeg | |
| File:Phronima sedentaria 3685226.jpg | |
| Specimens of Phronima sedentaria | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Amphipoda |
| Family: | Phronimidae |
| Genus: | Phronima Latreille, 1802 |
| Type species | |
| Cancer sedentarius Forsskål, 1775
| |
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Phronima is a genus of small, deep sea hyperiid amphipods of the family Phronimidae. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions.[1] Phronima species live in the pelagic zone of the deep ocean. Their bodies are semitransparent. Although commonly known as parasites, they are more technically correctly called parasitoids.[2] Instead of constantly feeding on a live host, females attack salps, using their mouths and claws to eat the animal and hollow out its gelatinous shell.[3] Phronima females then enter the barrel and lay their eggs inside, then propel the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.[3]
It is sometimes thought to be an inspiration for the fictional xenomorphs.[4][5]
Phronima species possess unique compound eyes adapted to detect blue-green wavelengths of light, which are prominent in the bioluminescent flashes of potential prey and predators. These specialized visual adaptations aid Phronima in navigating the dim mid-ocean environment, where bioluminescence serves as an important ecological signal.[citation needed]
Classification
[edit | edit source]The genus Phronima contains these 10 species:[6]
- Phronima atlantica Guérin-Méneville, 1836
- Phronima bowmani Shih, 1991
- Phronima bucephala Giles, 1888
- Phronima colletti Bovallius, 1887
- Phronima curvipes Vosseler, 1901
- Phronima dunbari Shih, 1991
- Phronima pacifica Streets, 1877
- Phronima sedentaria (Forskål, 1775) (type species)[1]
- Phronima solitaria Guérin-Méneville, 1844
- Phronima stebbingi Vosseler, 1901
References
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7. Osborn, K.J., Baldwin Fergus, J. (2020). Hyperiid Amphipod Adaptations to Mid-Ocean Environments. Smithsonian Ocean. National Museum of Natural History.
External links
[edit | edit source]
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