Physetocaris

Physetocaris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Caridea
Superfamily: Physetocaridoidea
Chace, 1940
Family: Physetocarididae
Chace, 1940
Genus: Physetocaris
Chace, 1940
Species:
P. microphthalma
Binomial name
Physetocaris microphthalma
Chace, 1940

Physetocaris is a monotypic genus of caridean shrimp, containing a single species,[1] Physetocaris microphthalma.

Systematics

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Physetocaris microphthalma is placed in its own family (Physetocarididae) and superfamily (Physetocaridoidea).[1] The genus and species were described in 1940 by Fenner A. Chace Jr.

Description

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Adults have no eyes, and are missing the last segment of the first pereiopod, which is therefore unable to form a claw.[2] They also have reduced gills and mouthparts, and no exopods on the pereiopods.[2] The carapace is enlarged, and forms a tall rostrum.[2]

Distribution

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P. microphthalma is rare, with only 35 specimens counted in a 1985 review.[2] Although very poorly known, the distribution of Physetocaris appears to be very wide. In addition to specimens from both western and eastern parts of the Atlantic Ocean,[3][4] it has been found in the southern Pacific Ocean.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sammy De Grave; N. Dean Pentcheff; Shane T. Ahyong; et al. (2009). "A classification of living and fossil genera of decapod crustaceans" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Suppl. 21: 1–109.
  2. ^ a b c d Raymond T. Bauer (2004). "Physetocarididae". Remarkable Shrimps: Adaptations and Natural History of the Carideans. Animal natural history series. Vol. 7. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-0-8061-3555-7.
  3. ^ P. Foxton & P. J. Herring (1970). "Recent records of Physetocaris microphthalma Chace with notes on the male and description of the early larvae (Decapoda, Caridea)". Crustaceana. 18 (1): 93–104. doi:10.1163/156854070x00103. JSTOR 20101663.
  4. ^ Isabella Gordon (1970). "Two early "Discovery" records of Physetocaris Chace (Decapoda, Caridea)". Crustaceana. 18 (1): 105–107. doi:10.1163/156854070x00112. JSTOR 20101664.
  5. ^ Robert A. Wasmer (1985). "New records for Physetocaris microphthalma Chace (Decapoda, Caridea, Physetocarididae) from the South Pacific". Crustaceana. 49 (1): 315–318. doi:10.1163/156854085X00648. JSTOR 20104111.