Crangonyctidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Peracarida
Order: Amphipoda
Suborder: Senticaudata
Family: Crangonyctidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Crangonyctidae: //kræŋɡoʊˈnɪktɪdaɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Stygobromus pecki by Joe Fries, San Marcos National Fish Hatchery. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Crangonyctidae is a family of specialized amphipods uniquely adapted to life in dark, aquatic cave environments, contributing significantly to the subterranean ecosystems they inhabit.

Physical Characteristics

Cave-dwelling freshwater amphipod crustaceans, typically characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced or absent pigmentation due to their dark habitats.

Identification Tips

Look for elongated, slender bodies, and reduced or absent eyes; often found in water bodies with no light.

Habitat

Primarily found in subterranean freshwater environments, such as caves and groundwater systems.

Distribution

Known to be distributed in various cave systems, particularly in regions with limestone formations.

Diet

Omnivorous, feeding on detritus and small microorganisms that inhabit their aquifer environments.

Life Cycle

Incomplete metamorphosis; undergoes several molts throughout their life, growing progressively larger until maturity.

Reproduction

Reproduce via sexual reproduction; females carry fertilized eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch.

Predators

Predators may include larger invertebrates and fish that inhabit similar cave systems, although many such environments may lack significant fish populations.

Ecosystem Role

Play a crucial role in the food web of subterranean ecosystems by recycling nutrients and serving as prey for other organisms.

Collecting Methods

Hand collecting in freshwater pools
Using traps specifically designed for amphipods

Preservation Methods

Ethanol preservation
Freezing for short-term storage

Evolution

Members of Crangonyctidae have evolved adaptations for life in dark cave environments, including loss of pigmentation and development of longer antennae for navigation.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with other amphipods; their cave-dwelling nature may lead to belief that they are merely aquatic insects or shrimp.