Harpiliopsis Explained

Description

Harpiliopsis, meaning "harp-like form," is a genus^[1] of small shrimp belonging to the family Palaemonidae. They're known as flattened coral shrimp due to their laterally compressed bodies, adapted for life in coral reefs and crevices.

Etymology

The genus name "Harpiliopsis" has its etymological roots in Greek. The term is a combination of two Greek words:

1. Harpilos (ἁρπυλίς): This word in Greek refers to a harpy or a mythical creature with the body of a bird and the face of a woman. Harpies were often depicted as wind spirits and were associated with stormy weather.

-opsis (-οπσις): The suffix "-opsis" is of Greek origin and is commonly used in taxonomy to indicate resemblance or appearance. In the context of genus names in biology, it often implies a similarity or likeness to another organism or group.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Genus Harpiliopsis . iNaturalist . 2023-12-28 . en-US.