Marine Species Identification Portal : Caprella linearis

(Linnaeus, 1767)

Description:
Body smooth or with only few spines. Peduncle of antenna 1 usually with numerous setules. Ratio of total length to length of the basis of gnathopod 2 usually less than 13.0, inner surface of gnathopod 2 with a small tooth adjacent to the poison tooth.
Mouthparts typical of genus, right lacinia mobilis 5-toothed.
Propodus of gnathopod 1 with 2 proximal grasping spines, grasping margin of dactylus and propodus serrate. Palm of propodus of gnathopod 2 with proximal a poison tooth and a small tooth on the inner surface, distally with a small tooth, a notch and a rectangular projection, anterodistal margin occasionally with a projection; basis short and robust.
Gills usually elliptical, occasionally oval and inflated.
Propodus of pereiopods 5-7 with a pair of proximal grasping spines.

Habitat:
C. linearis does not appear to be specific in its habitat, having been collected from brown, green and red algae, sea grass, sponges, hydroids, alcyonarians and tunicates. It has been taken from the surface to a depth of several hundred meters.

Distribution:
Siberian Polar Sea; Murman coast; Spitsbergen; Norway to France; British Islands; Faeroe Islands; Iceland; coast of North America; Japan and New Zealand.

Caprella linearis