skeleton shrimp

skeleton shrimp

      any of certain marine crustaceans of the family Caprellidae (order Amphipoda), particularly of the genera Caprella and Aeginella. The common name derives from the slender body structure. Most species are predators on other small animals, but some feed on organic debris.

      Aeginella longicornis (longicornia), which occurs among eelgrass, sponges, and wharf pilings between Labrador and the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States, is about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) long and muddy green or brown in colour. Like most other skeleton shrimp, it moves with a high-arching action similar to that of the measuring worm.

      Caprella septentrionalis, with habits similar to those of A. longicornis, is found in the North Sea and on the North American coast from Greenland to New England; it attains a length of 3.2 centimetres (1.3 inches). C. grahami lives between the tubefeet of the common starfish Asterias forbesi and feeds on organic matter adhering to mucus secreted by the starfish.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Skeleton shrimp — Shrimp Shrimp, n. [OE. shrimp; probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to {Crangon} and various allied genera, having a slender body and long …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skeleton shrimp — Skeleton Skel e*ton, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. [1913 Webster] {Skeleton bill}, a bill… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skeleton shrimp — Taxobox name = Skeleton shrimp image width = 300px image caption = Pariambus typicus regnum = Animalia phylum = Arthropoda subphylum = Crustacea classis = Malacostraca superordo = Peracarida ordo = Amphipoda subordo = Corophiidea infraordo =… …   Wikipedia

  • skeleton shrimp — noun small amphipod crustacean having a grotesque form suggestive of the praying mantis; found chiefly on seaweed • Hypernyms: ↑amphipod • Member Holonyms: ↑Caprella, ↑genus Caprella * * * noun : an amphipod crustacean of Caprella or a related… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Shrimp — Shrimp, n. [OE. shrimp; probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to {Crangon} and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shrimp catcher — Shrimp Shrimp, n. [OE. shrimp; probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to {Crangon} and various allied genera, having a slender body and long …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shrimp net — Shrimp Shrimp, n. [OE. shrimp; probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See {Shrimp}, v.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to {Crangon} and various allied genera, having a slender body and long …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skeleton — Skel e*ton, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. [1913 Webster] {Skeleton bill}, a bill or draft… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skeleton bill — Skeleton Skel e*ton, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. [1913 Webster] {Skeleton bill}, a bill… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skeleton key — Skeleton Skel e*ton, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. [1913 Webster] {Skeleton bill}, a bill… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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