Show Navigation
back to search results

Female Skeleton Shrimp Protecting Juveniles Using Venomous Spines

Pictured here is a 3cm female skeleton shrimp (Caprella bispinosa) with her small white babies clinging to her body. The magenta-red spikes on her body take on this coloration during this time of year. The spines contain venom. Females carrying young are thought to use these spines to ward off potential predators targeting the young. This may include males of her own species, which may attempt to kill the young in order to mate with the female, similar to the behavior of cats. Males of this species and other skeleton shrimps, which are actually amphipods, also have venom-laden spikes, which they use for competition between males.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download
Filename
caprella-bispinosa-female-carrying-young-japan-201905-523.tif
Copyright
Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size
6396x4264 / 78.1MB
https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm
https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu
Contained in galleries
Marine Life Reproduction, Crustaceans, Marine Life | Japan
Pictured here is a 3cm female skeleton shrimp (Caprella bispinosa) with her small white babies clinging to her body. The magenta-red spikes on her body take on this coloration during this time of year. The spines contain venom. Females carrying young are thought to use these spines to ward off potential predators targeting the young. This may include males of her own species, which may attempt to kill the young in order to mate with the female, similar to the behavior of cats. Males of this species and other skeleton shrimps, which are actually amphipods, also have venom-laden spikes, which they use for competition between males.
Info