Phronima
Specimens of Phronima sedentaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Peracarida
Order: Amphipoda
Suborder: Hyperiidea
Family: Phronimidae
Genus: Phronima
Latreille, 1802
Type species
Cancer sedentarius
Forsskål, 1775

Phronima is a genus of small, deep sea 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, then propel 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]

  • Phronima atlantica [5]
  • Phronima bowmani [5]
  • Phronima bucephala [5]
  • Phronima colletti Bovallius, 1887
  • Phronima curvipes Vosseler, 1901
  • Phronima dunbari [5]
  • Phronima pacifica Streets, 1887
  • Phronima sedentaria (Forsskål, 1775) (type species)[1]
  • Phronima solitaria Guérin-Méneville, 1836
  • Phronima stebbingi Vosseler, 1901

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. ↑ Katie O'Dwyer (February 3, 2014). "Meet Phronima, The Barrel-Riding Parasite That Inspired The Movie Alien". Live Science.
  3. 1 2 Damond Benningfield (June 8, 2008). "Phronima". Science and the Sea. University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  4. ↑ Lowry J (ed.). "Phronima Latreille, 1802". World Amphipoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Animal Diversity Web". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.


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