Pandalidae
Pandalidae is a family of marine decapod crustaceans, commonly known as deepwater shrimps or simply shrimps. This family is characterized by a distinctive elongated body and a rostrum that is typically long and sharp. Pandalidae is a large family, containing over 200 species, distributed throughout the world’s oceans.
Characteristics
Pandalidae shrimps have several common characteristics, including:
- An elongated body, with a distinct rostrum (beak) that is often long and sharp.
- A pair of long, slender antennae.
- A pair of chelae (claws) on the second pair of legs.
- A small, short carapace (the shell covering the head and thorax).
- A prominent abdomen, typically composed of seven segments.
- A variable coloration depending on the species, ranging from transparent to brightly colored.
Environments
Pandalidae shrimps occupy a wide range of marine habitats, including:
- Shallow coastal waters, particularly in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
- Deep-sea environments, extending down to depths of several thousand meters.
- Estuaries, where they may tolerate slightly brackish waters.
- Coral reefs, where they are often found associated with specific coral species.
Diet
Most Pandalidae shrimps are omnivores, feeding on a variety of organisms including algae, detritus, zooplankton, and small fish. Some species are known to be carnivores, while others are scavengers.
Importance
Pandalidae shrimps play an important role in the marine ecosystem, serving as prey for larger fish and other marine animals. Some species are also of commercial importance, being harvested for human consumption. The most commercially important species are the northern deep-sea shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and the pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum).
References
For more information on Pandalidae, you can refer to the following reliable sources: