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Caprella californicus
Head & Antenna 1 & 2
Gills and 2nd Gnathopod
Pereopods
Common name(s): Skeleton shrimp
Size:
3-6 cm
Habitat:
Intertidal areas; clinging to living substrate such as sea grasses, kelp, sponges, hydroids and preferring bryozoans.
Range:
Harbors and pilings: California to Washington. Found at Boston Harbor in Olympia, WA.
Life History:
There are both male and female C. californicus, with the female providing care to the offspring. Females have a thoracic pouch in which the young develop; this is covered by large overlapping plates. The young are brooded in this pouch until hatching directly into juveniles. The offspring can return to the pouch for protection. Molting occurs through maturity, with the males being larger than females.
Life expectancy:
No more than 6 months.
Feeding habits:
Recycle detritus and feed on diatoms and small invertebrates. Uses 2nd gnathopods to hold and capture prey.
Predators:
Shrimp and some fishes
Importance:
They are a major food source for some economically important fish, such as sardines, and perch. Amphipods are sparse in heavily polluted harbors were they may serve as an environmental indicator of the area.
References:
Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Southwest), Amphipods. January 1989. Biological Report 82 (11.92)
Brusca & Brusca, (2003) Invertebrates 2nd Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, Sunderland, MA
Last updated Thursday, August 24, 2006, by Lisa Ferrier
