Hyperiidae

Common Names

Hyperiids are commonly referred to as "whale lice" due to their association with whales. However, this term is misleading as they are not parasitic and do not feed on whale flesh. They are also sometimes referred to as "amphipods" or "hyperiid amphipods".

Characteristics

Hyperiids exhibit several distinctive characteristics:

• Elongated body: Their bodies are elongated and laterally compressed, giving them a streamlined shape.
• Large eyes: They possess large, prominent eyes, often occupying a significant portion of their head.
• Long appendages: Their appendages are long and slender, particularly their antennae and legs.
• Absence of carapace: Unlike many other amphipods, hyperiids lack a carapace, the hard outer shell covering the cephalothorax.
• Weakly developed pleopods: Their pleopods, abdominal appendages involved in swimming, are relatively small and weakly developed.

Environments

Hyperiids are primarily found in the pelagic zone of the ocean, the open water column away from the seabed. They are particularly common in the epipelagic zone, the uppermost layer of the ocean that receives sunlight. Their distribution is influenced by factors such as water temperature, salinity, and the availability of prey.

Ecology

Hyperiids are highly mobile predators, feeding on a variety of small organisms, including copepods, krill, and fish larvae. Some species are also known to scavenge on dead animals. They play a significant role in the marine food web, serving as prey for larger fish and marine mammals.

References

* World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)* A review of the biology and ecology of hyperiid amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidea)