Difference between revisions of "Amphipod" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
({{Contracted}})
(added article from Wikipedia and credit/category tags)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Claimed}}{{Contracted}}
 
{{Claimed}}{{Contracted}}
 +
 +
{{Taxobox
 +
| color = pink
 +
| name = Amphipoda
 +
| image = hyperia.jpg
 +
| image_width = 250px
 +
| image_caption = A hyperiid amphipod (''Hyperia macrocephala'')
 +
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 +
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
 +
| subphylum = [[Crustacean|Crustacea]]
 +
| classis = [[Malacostraca]]
 +
| ordo = '''Amphipoda'''
 +
| ordo_authority = [[Pierre André Latreille|Latreille]], 1816
 +
| subdivision_ranks = [[Suborder|Sub-orders]]
 +
| subdivision =
 +
[[Gammaridea]]<br />
 +
[[Corophiidea]]<br />
 +
[[Hyperiidea]]<br />
 +
[[Ingolfiellidea]]
 +
}}
 +
'''Amphipoda''' (amphipods) is an order of animals that includes over 7000 described [[species]] of small, [[shrimp]]-like [[crustacean]]s.
 +
 +
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 amongst sand and pebbles or on beaches.
 +
 +
==Distribution and life==
 +
Many species of pelagic amphipods are [[Mutualism|mutualistic]] or (usually) [[Parasitism|parasitic]], living in association with [[jellyfish]] and [[salp]]s. ''[[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]]
 +
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]].
 +
 +
After [[copepod]]s, [[krill]] and [[salp]]s, which are mostly [[herbivorous]], the [[carnivorous]] ''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 [[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]]''.
 +
 +
 +
 +
==External links==
 +
*[http://www.crustacea.net/crustace/amphipoda/index.htm Amphipoda page at www.crustacea.net] includes a list of families
 +
*[http://www.imv.uit.no/amphipod/index.html The Amphipod Home Page]
 +
*[http://www.imv.uit.no/ommuseet/enheter/zoo/wim/a_e.html A database of amphipod literature]
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:Bathyporeia pelagica.jpg|A gammarid amphipod
 +
Image:Amphipodredkils.jpg|A hyperiid amphipod
 +
Image:Pariambus typicus.jpg|A corophiid amphipod
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 +
{{credit|Amphipoda|149531996}}

Revision as of 14:34, 7 August 2007


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

Amphipoda (amphipods) is an order of animals that includes over 7000 described species of small, shrimp-like crustaceans.

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 amongst sand and pebbles or on beaches.

Distribution and life

Many species of pelagic amphipods are mutualistic or (usually) parasitic, living in association with jellyfish and salps. 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, the carnivorous 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.


External links

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.