Crinoid shrimp explained

The crinoid shrimp, or feather star shrimp[1] Hippolyte catagrapha, is a species of shrimp in the family Hippolytidae[2]

Description

Crinoid shrimps grow to up to 3 cm in total length. They are well camouflaged shrimps which live on a host crinoid, the elegant feather star, Tropiometra carinata.[3]

Distribution

These animals are found off the South African coast in False Bay and have been seen from 10 to at least 30 m underwater. They are probably endemic to this area.[3] There is evidence however, that these shrimp exist elsewhere in the world with the species recently observed in the Philippines.[4]

Ecology

These shrimps have so far only been seen in association with crinoids. They probably eat the wastes of their host.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008.
  2. De Grave, Sammy . 2010 . Hippolyte catagrapha d'Udekem d'Acoz, 2007 . 472975 . 15 December 2017.
  3. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa
  4. Web site: Anilao Macro, March 2014 - Facebook. www.facebook.com.