(Hindrem - The Trondheim fjord / 39 meter / 4.04.2005)

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Subclass: Malacostraca

Order: Amphipoda

Suborder: Caprellidea

Family: Caprellidae

Scientific name: Caprella linearis

 

Norwegian: spøkelseskreps

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Distribution: This is one of three common Caprellids, or skeleton shrimps, along the coast of Norway. It can be found on any depths down to approximately 70 meters. It is often seen among hydroids and bryozoa.

Characteristics: The body may reach a length of 3 cm, but more than 2 cm is rare. It can be confused with two other common skeleton shrimps, Phtisica marina and C. septentrionalis. The male C. linearis has a more elongated head than the two other species. Furthermore C. linearis has a pair of tubercles on the fifth body segment and a single on the sixth. The color may be red, green or light brown.

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