Acanthephyra purpurea

Acanthephyra purpurea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Acanthephyridae
Genus: Acanthephyra
Species:
A. purpurea
Binomial name
Acanthephyra purpurea
A. Milne-Edwards, 1881
Synonyms[1]
  • Acanthephyra abyssorum Filhol, 1885 (junior synonym)
  • Acanthephyra parva paucidens Coutière, 1905
  • Hoplocaricyphus similis Coutière, 1907
  • Miersia agassizii Smith, 1882

Acanthephyra purpurea, sometimes called the fire-breathing shrimp and deep-sea shrimp, [2] is a species of bioluminescent deep sea shrimp first described in 1881.[1] The species is known for 'vomiting' bioluminescent fluid when distressed, although the fluid likely originates from the hepatopancreas and not the stomach.[3]

A. purpurea expels large quantities of luminous fluid when distressed.[4] When it is discharged into the water, luciferin contained in the fluid reacts with oxygen to produce luciferase and light. It is believed that this fluid is intended to confuse or distract predators. A. purpurea is one of several species of deep sea shrimp that are known to expel bioluminescent fluid, including Heterocarpus ensifer, Systellaspis debilis, and Olophorus gracilorostris.[3]

The species is mostly gonochoric. It engages in courtship displays through olfactory and tactile cues, and usually employs indirect sperm transfer.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b WoRMS (2021). "Acanthephyra purpurea A. Milne-Edwards, 1881". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. ^ Switek, Brian. "Glow, Little Spewing Shrimp, Glow". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  3. ^ a b Switek, Brian. "Glow, Little Spewing Shrimp, Glow". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  4. ^ Haddock, Steven H.D.; Moline, Mark A.; Case, James F. (2010-01-01). "Bioluminescence in the Sea". Annual Review of Marine Science. 2 (1): 443–493. doi:10.1146/annurev-marine-120308-081028. ISSN 1941-1405.
  5. ^ "Acanthephyra purpurea, purple deep-sea shrimp". www.sealifebase.ca.