Cumaceans
Cumaceans are primarily marine crustaceans with a worldwide distribution. Most species are between 1 and 10 mm in length.
Cumaceans feed in small organisms and organic material from the sediments. Some species live in the sediment where they filter their food while a few others prey on foraminiferans and small crustaceans. Cumaceans, in turn, are prey for many fishes.
Cumaceans have a prominent carapace (head shield) that is often ornamented, and a pereon (breast shield), a slender abdomen and a forked tail. Males and females differ somewhat in their morphology.
About 1400 species of cumaceans are currently described, but many undescribed species exist. From the Arctic ~60 species are known.
Links: http://afsag.uaa.alaska.edu/, http:///nature.umesci.maine.edu/cumacea.html.
Page Author: Bodil Bluhm
Created: September 1, 2010
