Phronima

Phronima
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Amphipoda
Suborder: Hyperiidea
Superfamily: Phronimoidea
Family: Phronimidae
Genus: Phronima
Latreille, 1802
Type species
Phronima sedentaria
Forsskål, 1775

Phronima is a genus of small, deepsea hyperiid amphipods of the family Phronimidae. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] Phronima females then enter the barrel and lay their eggs inside, and then propels the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.[3]

Classification

The genus Phronima contains these species:[4]

External links

References

  1. 1 2 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. http://www.livescience.com/43076-meet-phronima-the-barrel-riding-parasite-that-inspired-the-movie-alien.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. 1 2 Damond Benningfield (June 8, 2008). "Phronima". Science and the Sea. University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  4. WoRMS (2010). J. Lowry, ed. "Phronima Latreille, 1802". World Amphipoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  5. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Phronima/classification/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Phronima/classification/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Phronima/classification/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. "Animal Diversity Web". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
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