Overview
Brief Summary
Global Distribution
Physical Description
Size
Identification Resources
Ecology
Local Distribution, Habitats and Associations
Life History & Behaviour
Behaviour
Cyclicity
Evolution & Systematics
Systematics or Phylogenetics
Morphology and Physiology
External Morphology
Internal Anatomy
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Nucleotide Sequences
Molecular Biology
Wikipedia
Names & Taxonomy
Common Names
References | External Morphology
Generalized alpheid shrimp external anatomy
Alpheid shrimp external anatomy. Drawing by James Dobson. Information from Schram et al (2004).
The particular alpheid shrimp follows a typical caridean (shrimp-like) body plan (Schram, 1986). Like most shrimp A. strenuus possesses sensory appendages (antennules and antennae), appendages for walking across substrates (thoracic appendages), pleopods for swimming, uropods for backward thrusts of speed to escape predators, various maxilliped appendages and a single small cheliped used for feeding. However, like most alpheid shrimp A. strenuus possesses a single modified chela that is uses to produce the snapping sound (Martin et al, 2009). Banner & Banner (1882) separated the species of A. strenuus into two subspecies based on small morphological differences. The orbital grooves appear shallower and more rounded in A. s. strenuus while are broader, deeper and more posteriorly extended in A.s. cremnus.
The modified chela of A. s. strenuus. The image shows the dactyl in a 'striking' position. When closed with force the protrusion on the dactyl fits into a depression on the pollex causing a cavitation bubble that produces the snapping sound (Martin et al, 2009). |
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