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Phronima

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Genus of crustaceans

Phronima
Specimens of Phronima sedentaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Amphipoda
Suborder: Hyperiidea
Family: Phronimidae
Genus: Phronima
Latreille, 1802
Type species
Cancer sedentarius
Forsskål, 1775
Photnima Sedentaria Offspring

Phronima is a genus of small, deep sea hyperiid amphipods of the family Phronimidae. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions. Phronima species live in the pelagic zone of the deep ocean. Their bodies are semitransparent. Although commonly known as parasites, they are more technically correctly called parasitoids. Instead of constantly feeding on a live host, females attack salps, using their mouths and claws to eat the animal and hollow out its gelatinous shell. Phronima females then enter the barrel and lay their eggs inside, then propel the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.

It is sometimes thought to be an inspiration for the fictional xenomorphs.

Phronima species possess unique compound eyes adapted to detect blue-green wavelengths of light, which are prominent in the bioluminescent flashes of potential prey and predators. These specialized visual adaptations aid Phronima in navigating the dim mid-ocean environment, where bioluminescence serves as an important ecological signal.

Classification

The genus Phronima contains these 10 species:

References

  1. ^ James K. Lowry (2003). "Phronimidae". Peracarida : Amphipoda, Cumacea, Mysidacea. Volume 2, Part 2 of Crustacea: Malacostraca in Zoological catalogue of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 339–344. ISBN 978-0-643-06902-2.
  2. Katie O'Dwyer (February 3, 2014). "Meet Phronima, The Barrel-Riding Parasite That Inspired The Movie Alien". Live Science.
  3. ^ Damond Benningfield (June 8, 2008). "Phronima". Science and the Sea. University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  4. Leung, Tommy (2014-01-20). "Parasite of the Day: Phronima sp". Parasite of the Day. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  5. Johnsen, Sönke (2000). "Transparent Animals". Scientific American. 282 (2): 80–89. ISSN 0036-8733. JSTOR 26058604.
  6. Lowry J (ed.). "Phronima Latreille, 1802". World Amphipoda Database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 21 September 2024.

7. Osborn, K.J., Baldwin Fergus, J. (2020). Hyperiid Amphipod Adaptations to Mid-Ocean Environments. Smithsonian Ocean. National Museum of Natural History.


External links



Taxon identifiers
Phronima


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