Ornamental-aquarium-species
Guides
Stenopodidea
Coral and Glass Sponge Shrimps, Boxer Shrimps
Stenopodidea is a small infraorder of decapod crustaceans comprising 71 extant species in 12 genera, commonly known as coral and glass sponge shrimps or boxer shrimps. Despite their common names, they are distinct from both Caridea (true shrimp) and Dendrobranchiata (prawns), representing a separate lineage within Pleocyemata more closely related to reptant decapods such as lobsters and crabs. Members are characterized by a greatly enlarged third pair of pereiopods, non-branching gills, and egg-brooding reproduction. The group includes three fossil species, with the earliest known from the Devonian period.