Rhynchocinetidae

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Rhynchocinetidae
Rhynchocinetes sp.jpg
Rhynchocinetes spp. sheltering under a sea urchin
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Superfamily: Nematocarcinoidea
Family: Rhynchocinetidae
Ortmann, 1890
Genera

Cinetorhynchus
Rhynchocinetes

The family Rhynchocinetidae are a group of small, reclusive red-and-white shrimp. This family typically has an upward-hinged foldable rostrum, hence its taxon name Rhynchocinetidae, which means movable beak; this gives these shrimps their common name of hinge-beak shrimps. The family contains only two genera, Cinetorhynchus and Rhynchocinetes . [1] [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

Rhynchocinetidae has historically been considered to include the single genus Rhynchocinetes, which was subdivided into two sub-genera. However, in 1995, Holthuis elevated the subgenus Cinetorhynchus to full generic status based on morphology. Members of Rhynchocinetes have two acute teeth on the central carina of the carapace, a supraorbital spine and no spine on the margins of the fourth and fifth abdominal somites. Cinetorhynchus differs in having three teeth on the carapace, no supraorbital spine and a single spine each on the margins of the fourth and fifth abdominal somites. [3]

Description

Members of the family Rhynchocinetidae are colourful crustaceans, mostly banded or patterned in red and white. The rostrum is partially or completely articulated with the carapace and can be moved in a variety of ways. The advantages of this adaptation are unclear, but in combination with the spiny rostrum, it may enable the shrimp to wedge itself into a crevice and avoid being dislodged by a predator. The first pair of chelipeds are more robust than the second pair, and the carpus of the second pair is undivided. In males, particularly in larger, older individuals, the third pair of maxillipeds and the first pair of chelipeds are exceptionally large in proportion to those of females and younger males. Both pairs of chelipeds bear a bundle of spines at the tip which when retracted form a basket-like cage. [2]

Distribution and habitat

Members of the family Rhynchocinetidae are found in both tropical and some temperate waters, from the littoral zone down to the continental shelf, inhabiting both coral and rocky reefs. [2]

Ecology

The biology of the family has been little studied. Cinetorhynchus rigens in Bermuda was not attracted to baited traps but on examination, its faecal pellets contained mollusc shell fragments, algae and sponge spicules. It was nocturnal, hiding by day in crevices and emerging at night to feed. [2]

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<i>Cinetorhynchus</i> Genus of crustaceans

Cinetorhynchus is a genus of shrimp in the family Rhynchocinetidae. It was originally described in 1995 by Lipke Holthuis as a subgenus of the genus Rhynchocinetes, but was elevated to the rank of genus by Okuno in 1997. Both genera share the characteristic jointed rostrum, but differ in the numbers and positions of various spines. Cinetorhynchus contains the following species:

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Alpheus tricolor is a crustacean belonging to the family of snapping shrimp. It was first isolated in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. It counts with a setose carapace, an acute rostrum, shallow adrostral furrows and a basicerite with a strong ventrolateral tooth. The lamella of its scaphocerite is not reduced, with an anterior margin that is concave. Its third maxilliped counts with an epipodial plate bearing thick setae, while its first chelipeds are found with their merus bearing a strong disto-mesial tooth; its third pereiopod has an armed ischium, with a simple and conical dactylus. Its telson is broad, distally tapering, with 2 pairs of dorsal spines. The species is named after its characteristic colour pattern, including white, red and orange.

<i>Alpheus fasqueli</i> Species of crustacean

Alpheus fasqueli is a crustacean belonging to the family of snapping shrimp. It was first isolated in Sri Lanka. It counts with a setose carapace, an acute and carinate rostrum, and unarmed orbital hoods. Its basicerite has a strong ventrolateral tooth. The lamella of its scaphocerite is not reduced. Its third maxilliped counts with an epipodial plate bearing thick setae, while its first chelipeds are found with their merus bearing a strong disto-mesial tooth; its third pereiopod has an armed ischium, with a simple and conical dactylus. Its telson is broad, distally tapering, with 2 pairs of dorsal spines. The species is named after Frédéric Fasquel, a photographer who contributed rare shrimp specimens for the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle.

<i>Cinetorhynchus rigens</i> Species of shrimp

Cinetorhynchus rigens is a species of shrimp in the family Rhynchocinetidae. Common names include mechanical shrimp, Atlantic dancing shrimp, red night shrimp and red coral shrimp. It occurs in shallow water in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

References

  1. "Rhynchocinetidae". Australian Faunal Directory . Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. October 9, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Raymond T. Bauer (2004). Remarkable Shrimps: Adaptations and Natural History of the Carideans. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 71. ISBN   978-0-8061-3555-7.
  3. Holthuis, L.B. (1995). "Notes on Indo-West Pacific Crustacea Decapoda III to IX". Zoologische Mededelingen. 69 (13): 139–151.