Amphipods: Amphipoda

Physical characteristics: Skeleton shrimp measure up to 1.38 inches (35 millimeters) in length. They have long, slender bodies with very small abdomens. The pincherlike claws of the pereopods are used for grasping and climbing.

Geographic range: This species is found only along the coast of central and southern California.

Habitat: Skeleton shrimp live just below the tide line, where they cling to algae and the slender, plantlike structures of some groups of marine animals.

Diet: They eat both plant and animal tissues found on the bottom or floating in the water.

Behavior and reproduction: Skeleton shrimp scrape the sea bottom to gather food.

Fertilized eggs are brooded in a chamber made by broad, leaflike thoracic appendages. The newly hatched juveniles look very much like the adults.

Skeleton shrimp and people: Skeleton shrimp do not impact people or their activities.

Conservation status: Skeleton shrimp are not considered to be threatened or endangered. ∎

Skeleton shrimp live just below the tide line, where they cling to algae and some groups of marine animals. (Illustration by John Megahan. Reproduced by permission.)