General Description

Second legs (pereopods 2) subequal and similar, fifth segment (carpus) with 3 articles. Legs (pereopods) lacking epipods and gills (arthrobranchs). Abdominal somite 3 strongly curved so remainder of abdomen directed downwards, not swollen dorsally. Up to 2.5 cm long.

Biology

Unlike other southern Australian members of the family Pandalidae that are large oceanic midwater shrimp, the Slender-beaked Shrimp are benthic on the shelf or coastal algal dwellers. The shrimp is semitransparent but spotted. Its only claws, on the second pair of legs, are microscopic. This common delicate, semitransparent species was figured in 1927 as Parapandalus leptorhynchus.

Distribution

Southern temperate oceans, including southern Australia.

Habitat

Benthic and shallow subtidal between 3-115 m depth.

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