Philocheras
Philocheras is a genus of deep-sea snapping shrimp belonging to the family Alpheidae. They are commonly known as “pistol shrimp” due to their distinctive snapping claw which generates a loud clicking sound. These shrimp are found in various parts of the world’s oceans, inhabiting depths ranging from the shallows to the abyssal zone.
Characteristics
Members of the genus Philocheras are characterized by their slender, elongated bodies and prominent rostrums, or beaks. They typically have a carapace that is smooth and lacks any prominent spines. Like other snapping shrimp, they possess a single, enlarged claw on one of their chelipeds, which is used for snapping and generating cavitation bubbles.
Environment
Philocheras species are known to inhabit a variety of marine environments, including:
- Coral reefs: Some species are found on coral reefs, often residing in crevices or under coral heads.
- Seagrass beds: Others prefer the shelter and food sources provided by seagrass meadows.
- Deep-sea environments: Many Philocheras species are adapted to the harsh conditions of the deep sea, living on the seafloor or within sediment.
References
For more information on the genus Philocheras, you can consult the following resources: