Difference between revisions of "Amphipod" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
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| image = hyperia.jpg
 
| image = hyperia.jpg
 
| image_width = 250px
 
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = A hyperiid amphipod (''Hyperia macrocephala'')
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| image_caption = A hyperiid amphipod ''(Hyperia macrocephala)''
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
 
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
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[[Ingolfiellidea]]
 
[[Ingolfiellidea]]
 
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'''Amphipod''' is any of the small, largely marine, [[shrimp]]-like [[crustacean]]s comprising the [[arthropod]] order '''Amphipoda'''. Included among the amphipods are the abundant sand-hoppers or beach-fleas, the predaceous ghost shrimp, the [[whale]] ectoparasites ''Cyamus''.
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'''Amphipod''' is any of the small, largely marine, [[shrimp]]-like [[crustacean]]s comprising the [[arthropod]] order ''Amphipoda''. Included among the amphipods are the abundant sand-hoppers or beach-fleas, the predaceous ghost shrimp, and the [[whale]] ectoparasites ''Cyamus''.
  
Amphipods are extremly abundant, diverse, and widespread crustaceans, found in nearly all marine and freshwater habitats (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001). They are paticularly important in marine [[food chain]]s as herbivores, detritivores, micropredators, and scavengers (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001).
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Amphipods are extremely abundant, diverse, and widespread crustaceans, found in nearly all marine and freshwater habitats (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001). They are particularly important in providing benefit to [[ecosystem]]s in marine [[food chain]]s, as herbivores, detritivores, micropredators, and scavengers (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001).
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
Amphipods are poor swimmers, being highly modified as bottom crawlers and scavenging macrophages (Russell-Hunter 1969). They lack a caprapace, have sessil eyes, the pleopods are respiratory in function, and the uropods do not form a tail fin (Russell-Hunter 1969). Amphipods typically are laterally flattened and normally have a division of functions among the varied limbs (Russell-Hunter 1969).
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Amphipods are poor swimmers, being highly modified as bottom crawlers and scavenging macrophages (Russell-Hunter 1969). They lack a caprapace, have sessile eyes, the pleopods are respiratory in function, and the uropods do not form a tail fin (Russell-Hunter 1969). Amphipods typically are laterally flattened and normally have a division of functions among the varied limbs (Russell-Hunter 1969).
 
 
Two characteristic body forms of amphipods are those of the Caprellidea and those of the Gammaridea. The gammarids, which include the beach-fleas, are compact, flattened from side to side, have three pairs of uropods (tail-limbs), the head has two pair of antennae, the eyes are not on stalks, and there are seven thoracic and six abdominal segments that are visible (MVA 1996). The long and skinny Caprellidea, such as the ghost Shrimp ''Caprella'', have very elongate limbs and thorax with a reuced abdomen (Russell-Hunter 1969).
 
  
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Two characteristic body forms of amphipods are those of the Caprellidea and those of the Gammaridea. The gammarids, which include the beach-fleas, are compact, flattened from side to side, have three pairs of uropods (tail-limbs), the head has two pair of antennae, the eyes are not on stalks, and there are seven thoracic and six abdominal segments that are visible (MVA 1996). The long and skinny Caprellidea—such as the ghost Shrimp ''Caprella''—have very elongated limbs and thoraxes with a reduced abdomen (Russell-Hunter 1969).
  
 
==Distribution and life==
 
==Distribution and life==
Most amphipods are [[marine (ocean)|marine]]; although a small number of species are [[fresh water|limnic]] or [[terrestrial animal|terrestrial]]. Marine amphipods may be [[pelagic]] (living in the water column) or [[benthic]] (living on the ocean bottom). Pelagic amphipods are eaten by [[seabird]]s, fish, and marine mammals. Terrestrial amphipods such as [[sand flea]]s can often be seen among sand and pebbles or on beaches.
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Most amphipods are [[marine (ocean)|marine]]; although a small number of species are [[fresh water|limnic]] or [[terrestrial animal|terrestrial]]. Marine amphipods may be [[pelagic]] (living in the water column) or [[benthic]] (living on the ocean bottom). Pelagic amphipods are eaten by [[seabird]]s, [[fish]], and marine [[mammal]]s. Terrestrial amphipods such as [[sand flea]]s can often be seen among sand and pebbles or on beaches.
  
Many species of pelagic amphipods are [[Mutualism|mutualistic]] or (usually) [[Parasitism|parasitic]], living in association with [[jellyfish]] and [[salp]]s (a barrel-shaped, free-floating [[tunicate]]). ''[[Phronima]]'' is a relatively common genus of pelagic amphipod that kills and cleans out the barrel-shaped body of a salp to live inside and raise its young.
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Many [[species]] of pelagic amphipods are [[Mutualism|mutualistic]] or (usually) [[Parasitism|parasitic]], living in association with [[jellyfish]] and [[salp]]s (a barrel-shaped, free-floating [[tunicate]]). ''[[Phronima]]'' is a relatively common [[genus]] of pelagic amphipod that kills and cleans out the barrel-shaped body of a salp to live inside and raise its young.
[[Image:Amphipod anatomy en.svg|thumb|left|275px|Amphopod anatomy]]
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Of the relatively few species of free-living, [[plankton]]ic amphipods, the most abundant of all is ''[[Themisto gaudichaudii]]''. Living in the [[Southern Ocean]], this amphipod congregates in dense swarms, where it is a voracious predator of [[copepod]]s and other small members of the zooplankton.
Of the relatively few species of free-living, [[plankton]]ic amphipods, the most abundant of all is ''[[Themisto gaudichaudii]]''. Living in the [[Southern Ocean]], this amphipod congregates in dense swarms, where it is a voracious predator of [[copepod]]s and other small members of the [[plankton|zooplankton]].
 
  
After [[copepod]]s, [[krill]], and [[salp]]s, which are mostly [[herbivorous]], the [[carnivorous]] ''Themisto'' is the most abundant member of the [[plankton|mesozooplankton]] in the [[Southern Ocean]].
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After [[copepod]]s, [[krill]], and [[salp]]s—which are mostly [[herbivorous]]—omnivorous ''Themisto'' is the most abundant member of the [[plankton|mesozooplankton]] in the [[Southern Ocean]].
  
 
In cold seas, benthic amphipods are enormously diverse and abundant. In the [[Southern Ocean]], amphipods are the most abundant benthic crustaceans. Some are grazers, many are [[omnivorous]], some even act as [[piranha]]-like scavengers, quickly cleaning the carcasses of dead animals. Amphipods are one of the few animal groups frequently seen when [[submarine]]s venture to the deepest parts of the oceans. Other benthic amphipods are the primary food of [[Gray Whale]]s.  
 
In cold seas, benthic amphipods are enormously diverse and abundant. In the [[Southern Ocean]], amphipods are the most abundant benthic crustaceans. Some are grazers, many are [[omnivorous]], some even act as [[piranha]]-like scavengers, quickly cleaning the carcasses of dead animals. Amphipods are one of the few animal groups frequently seen when [[submarine]]s venture to the deepest parts of the oceans. Other benthic amphipods are the primary food of [[Gray Whale]]s.  
  
A ship hull fouling species of amphipod common to [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and estuarine waters is ''[[Jassa falcata]]''.
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A ship hull fouling species of amphipod common to [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and estuarine waters is ''[[Jassa falcata]]''.
 
 
==Reference==
 
Amphipoda: Families
 
 
 
* Lowry, J. K., and R. T. Springthorpe. 2001. [http://www.crustacea.net/crustace/amphipoda/index.htm Amphipoda: Families]. ''Crustacea.net''. Retrieved August 7, 2007.
 
 
 
* Museum Victoria Australia (MVA). 1996. [http://www.mov.vic.gov.au/crust/amphbiol.html The biology of amphipods]. ''Museum Victoria Australia''. Retrieved August 7, 2007.
 
 
 
* Russell-Hunter, W. D. 1969. ''A Biology of Higher Invertebrates''. London: Macmillan Company.  
 
  
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==References==
 +
* Holsinger, J. R. “The freshwater amphipod crustaceans (Gammaridae) of North America.” ''Biota of Freshwater ecosystems Identification Manual, No. 5''. Washington: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1972.
 +
* Lowry, J. K., and R. T. Springthorpe. [http://www.crustacea.net/crustace/amphipoda/index.htm Amphipoda: Families] ''Crustacea.net''. 2001. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
 +
* Museum Victoria Australia (MVA). [http://www.mov.vic.gov.au/crust/amphbiol.html The biology of amphipods] ''Museum Victoria Australia'' 1996. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
 +
* Russell-Hunter, W. D. ''A Biology of Higher Invertebrates''. London: Macmillan Company, 1969.
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Image:Bathyporeia pelagica.jpg|A gammarid amphipod
 
Image:Bathyporeia pelagica.jpg|A gammarid amphipod
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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{{credit|Amphipoda|149531996}}
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
{{credit|Amphipoda|149531996}}
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[[Category:Animals]]
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[[Category:Invertebrates]]

Latest revision as of 18:43, 27 April 2019


Amphipoda
A hyperiid amphipod (Hyperia macrocephala)
A hyperiid amphipod (Hyperia macrocephala)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Amphipoda
Latreille, 1816
Sub-orders

Gammaridea
Corophiidea
Hyperiidea
Ingolfiellidea

Amphipod is any of the small, largely marine, shrimp-like crustaceans comprising the arthropod order Amphipoda. Included among the amphipods are the abundant sand-hoppers or beach-fleas, the predaceous ghost shrimp, and the whale ectoparasites Cyamus.

Amphipods are extremely abundant, diverse, and widespread crustaceans, found in nearly all marine and freshwater habitats (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001). They are particularly important in providing benefit to ecosystems in marine food chains, as herbivores, detritivores, micropredators, and scavengers (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001).

Description

Amphipods are poor swimmers, being highly modified as bottom crawlers and scavenging macrophages (Russell-Hunter 1969). They lack a caprapace, have sessile eyes, the pleopods are respiratory in function, and the uropods do not form a tail fin (Russell-Hunter 1969). Amphipods typically are laterally flattened and normally have a division of functions among the varied limbs (Russell-Hunter 1969).

Two characteristic body forms of amphipods are those of the Caprellidea and those of the Gammaridea. The gammarids, which include the beach-fleas, are compact, flattened from side to side, have three pairs of uropods (tail-limbs), the head has two pair of antennae, the eyes are not on stalks, and there are seven thoracic and six abdominal segments that are visible (MVA 1996). The long and skinny Caprellidea—such as the ghost Shrimp Caprella—have very elongated limbs and thoraxes with a reduced abdomen (Russell-Hunter 1969).

Distribution and life

Most amphipods are marine; although a small number of species are limnic or terrestrial. Marine amphipods may be pelagic (living in the water column) or benthic (living on the ocean bottom). Pelagic amphipods are eaten by seabirds, fish, and marine mammals. Terrestrial amphipods such as sand fleas can often be seen among sand and pebbles or on beaches.

Many species of pelagic amphipods are mutualistic or (usually) parasitic, living in association with jellyfish and salps (a barrel-shaped, free-floating tunicate). Phronima is a relatively common genus of pelagic amphipod that kills and cleans out the barrel-shaped body of a salp to live inside and raise its young. Of the relatively few species of free-living, planktonic amphipods, the most abundant of all is Themisto gaudichaudii. Living in the Southern Ocean, this amphipod congregates in dense swarms, where it is a voracious predator of copepods and other small members of the zooplankton.

After copepods, krill, and salps—which are mostly herbivorous—omnivorous Themisto is the most abundant member of the mesozooplankton in the Southern Ocean.

In cold seas, benthic amphipods are enormously diverse and abundant. In the Southern Ocean, amphipods are the most abundant benthic crustaceans. Some are grazers, many are omnivorous, some even act as piranha-like scavengers, quickly cleaning the carcasses of dead animals. Amphipods are one of the few animal groups frequently seen when submarines venture to the deepest parts of the oceans. Other benthic amphipods are the primary food of Gray Whales.

A ship hull fouling species of amphipod common to Atlantic and estuarine waters is Jassa falcata.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Holsinger, J. R. “The freshwater amphipod crustaceans (Gammaridae) of North America.” Biota of Freshwater ecosystems Identification Manual, No. 5. Washington: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1972.
  • Lowry, J. K., and R. T. Springthorpe. Amphipoda: Families Crustacea.net. 2001. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  • Museum Victoria Australia (MVA). The biology of amphipods Museum Victoria Australia 1996. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  • Russell-Hunter, W. D. A Biology of Higher Invertebrates. London: Macmillan Company, 1969.


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