Phronima
Template:Short description Template:Automatic Taxobox
Phronima is a genus of small, deep sea hyperiid amphipods of the family Phronimidae. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions.<ref name="Lowry">Template:Cite book</ref> Phronima species live in the pelagic zone of the deep ocean. Their bodies are semitransparent. Although commonly known as parasites, they are more technically correctly called parasitoids.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Instead of constantly feeding on a live host, females attack salps, using their mouths and claws to eat the animal and hollow out its gelatinous shell.<ref name="Benningfield">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Phronima females then enter the barrel and lay their eggs inside, then propel the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.<ref name="Benningfield"/>
It is sometimes thought to be an inspiration for the fictional xenomorphs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Phronima species possess unique compound eyes adapted to detect blue-green wavelengths of light, which are prominent in the bioluminescent flashes of potential prey and predators. These specialized visual adaptations aid Phronima in navigating the dim mid-ocean environment, where bioluminescence serves as an important ecological signal.Template:Cn
Classification
The genus Phronima contains these 10 species:<ref>Template:WoRMS</ref>
- Phronima atlantica Template:Small
- Phronima bowmani Template:Small
- Phronima bucephala Template:Small
- Phronima colletti Template:Small
- Phronima curvipes Template:Small
- Phronima dunbari Template:Small
- Phronima pacifica Template:Small
- Phronima sedentaria Template:Small (type species)<ref name="Lowry"/>
- Phronima solitaria Template:Small
- Phronima stebbingi Template:Small
References
Template:Reflist 7. Osborn, K.J., Baldwin Fergus, J. (2020). Hyperiid Amphipod Adaptations to Mid-Ocean Environments. Smithsonian Ocean. National Museum of Natural History.
External links