Tanaids: Tanaidacea

Physical characteristics: The last five thoracic segments have rounded bristly expansions on their sides. The marsupium is not well developed in this species. The telson is twice as long as it is wide. The outer branch of the biramous uropods has seven segments.

Geographic range: This species is found around the Cape Verde Islands, the Mediterranean Sea, and off the coast of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).

Habitat: They live in shallow waters, in sandy or muddy bottoms.

Diet: This species eats bits of plant and animal materials, as well as microorganisms. They probably stir up bits of food from the bottom with their pereopods and pleopods.

Behavior and reproduction: Nothing is known about the behavior of this species. In some habitats tanaids are the most abundant of all animals. Males and females are known; hermaphrodites are not.

Apseudes intermedius and people: This species does not directly impact people or their activities.

Conservation status: Apseudes intermedius is not considered endangered or threatened. ∎

Apseudes intermedius eat bits of plant and animal materials, as well as microorganisms. (Illustration by Dan Erickson. Reproduced by permission.)