Mictacean  (Mictocaris halope)

Mictacean, Mictocaris halope

Facts

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Crustacea
Order Mictacea
Family Mictocarididae
Genus Mictocaris (1)
Size Total body length: 3 - 3.5 mm (2)

Status

Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List 2006 (1).

Description

This mictacean is a small, blind, unpigmented crustacean. The first thoracic segment is fused with the head, while the remaining seven are free, and there is a down-curved rostrum between the eyestalks, which lack visual elements (2).

Range

Recorded from the following caves in Bermuda: Crystal, Green Bay (South Harrington Sound Passage and North Shore Passage), Roadside and Tucker's Town Caves (2).

Habitat

Found in anchialine limestone caves. Observed generally in mid-water at depths of 0 to 20 m, only in those parts of the underwater caves well isolated from the sea and away from daylight (2).

Biology

Very little is known about the biology of this mictacean.

Threats

The threats to this species are unknown.

Conservation

There are currently no conservation measures underway targeting this species.

Further Information

For more information on this mictacean see:

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
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Glossary

Anchialine: Coastal bodies of standing waters that have no surface connections to the ocean but display both tidal fluctuations and salinity ranges characteristic of fresh and brackish waters, indicating the presence of subsurface connections to the watertable and ocean.
Rostrum: Central, forward-projecting and occasionally long spine between the eyes of crustaceans.
Thorax: Part of the body located near the head in animals.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (January, 2007)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Anchialine Caves and Cave Fauna of the World (February, 2007)
    http://www.tamug.edu/cavebiology/fauna/mictaceans/M_halope.html