Gigantocypris
| Gigantocypris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Ostracoda |
| Order: | Myodocopida |
| Family: | Cypridinidae |
| Genus: | Gigantocypris Skogsberg, 1920 [1] |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Gigantocypris is a genus of ostracod crustacean in family Cypridinidae,[1] and probably the most famous ostracod in the world.[2] Its members are extremely large for ostracods, measuring up to 25 millimetres (1.0 in) across.[3] The animals are orange–red in light, but live at depths of 900–1,300 m (3,000–4,300 ft),[3] where there is no natural sunlight. Despite this, they are equipped with a pair of large eyes which, rather than using lenses to focus light onto a retina, use parabolic mirrors a few millimetres across.[4] It is thought that Gigantocypris uses these eyes to find sources of bioluminescence for it to prey on,[2] and it feeds upon copepods and small fish.[3]
Species
The genus contains six species:[1][5]
- Gigantocypris agassizii G. W. Müller, 1895
- Gigantocypris australis Poulsen, 1962
- Gigantocypris danae Poulsen, 1962
- Gigantocypris dracontovalis Cannon, 1940
- Gigantocypris muelleri Skogsberg, 1920
- Gigantocypris pellucida G. W. Müller, 1895
References
- 1 2 3 "Gigantocypris Skogsberg, 1920". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- 1 2 Todd Oakley (July 24, 2008). "Ostra-blog 1 – Gigantocypris". Evolutionary Novelties.
- 1 2 3 "Giant ostracod". Monterey Bay Aquarium. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
- ↑ "Concave mirror eyes". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ↑ David Horne (2010). "Gigantocypris Skogsberg, 1920". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
External links
Data related to Gigantocypris at Wikispecies
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